Zaldy Co resigns amid flood control probe
Zaldy Co has resigned from his position as a member of the House of Representatives and has taken a leave of absence from Ako Bicol party-list amid the flood control project scandal.
"Mabigat man sa aking puso, ako'y nagpaabot ng aking pagbibitiw bilang Kinatawan sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso," Co wrote on Facebook.
"Ang desisyong ito ay hindi naging madali, ngunit ito ay aking tinimbang nang mabuti para sa ikabubuti ng aking pamilya at ng mga taong patuloy kong pinaglilingkuran," he added.
In a letter sent to House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Co said he is "constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives."
This is in light of "the real, direct, grave and imminent threat" to him and his family members, as well as "the evident denial of my right to due process of law."
He also took this time to respond to the "baseless" accusations by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who filed an ethics complaint against him.
"I did not mastermind, tolerate or allow any supposed last minute-insertions and realignments in items in the 2025 GAA. All items in the 2025
GAA, including those stated in the corresponding Bicameral Report, were approved at plenary sessions and following the collegial process of both Houses of Congress," he argued.
Co also addressed the public discussion surrounding his family's ostentatious display of wealth, stating that their lifestyles "have not changed" since he became a public official.
"I deny that my family and I indulge 'in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in the eye of the public.' Our lifestyles have not changed from before I became a public official up to now. My wife and children keep away from the media and they certainly do not display what we own to the
public. While I do have postings through media, these are focused on the various projects of the Ako Bicol Partylist. My family and I do not also live beyond our means," he said.
He denied Tiangco's accusation that he acquired personal financial interest from infrastructure projects awarded to Sunwest, Inc. while serving in the House of Representatives.
Co argued that the accusation is based on "mere speculation" and is "premature," as no court of law has made a definitive determination on the matter.
"It is premature for Representative Tiangco to make such speculations considering that no court of law has made a determination as to whether or not I acquired or received anything from such projects," he said. "In any event, I am reserving my right to address the sham and baseless accusations made by Representative Tiangco at the appropriate time and before the appropriate forum."
Co takes a leave of absence from Ako Bicol party-list
In a separate Facebook post, Co said he will be taking a leave of absence from the Ako Bicol party-list "until it is safe for me to return to the Philippines."
He said that many individuals have wrongly accused him of wrongdoings, "conditioning" the public to "condemn and hate" his family and him.
"All I can tell you now is that the accusations being made against me are false. In due time, I will give my statements on the matter," he said, adding that he and his familly "are in grave danger."
On Monday, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended filing charges against Co and several Department of Public Works and Highways officials over alleged irregularities in a P290-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Co is reportedly in Madrid amid budget insertion allegations against him and a prolonged absence in relation to the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal.
Because of this, newly minted House Speaker Bojie Dy formally revoked his travel clearance on Sept. 19 and ordered his immediate return to the Philippines within 10 days after receipt of notice.
In a letter addressed to Co, Dy assured the lawmaker that the House will "coordinate with proper authorities to secure your safety and that of your family" should he decide to go back to the Philippines.
Co was given until Monday, Sept. 29 to comply.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.