VANCOUVER, Canada —  Efforts to locate former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Elizaldy Co continues,  Malacañang assured the public on Friday (Saturday in Manila), after the Sandiganbayan archived the criminal case against the fugitive lawmaker.

Speaking to reporters here, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the legal process remained in effect despite the temporary suspension of proceedings.

"When we say a case is archived, it simply means it is removed from the active cases scheduled for hearing and placed under archived status. So even if he has been away from the Philippines for a long time, once he is arrested, the case will proceed," Castro said.

"The obligation to search for Zaldy Co is not being neglected because, as has been said, he is a very important witness and it is also important for him to answer the allegations against him," she added.

Co has been wanted by authorities since last year for his alleged involvement in the flood control scam.