Rep. Zaldy Co Yet To Return to PH Despite Flood Control Accusations
ZALDY CO – The Ako Bicol Partylist Representative denied the allegations that he inserted some P35-billion budget requests and received kickbacks from flood control projects funded by the government.
Several officials of the government are accused of receiving kickbacks from the flood control deals. Previously, it was controversial contractor couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya who first did a name-dropping in their testimony during a Senate flood probe.
The Discayas accused then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde, Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro, and Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control deals. According to them, they supposedly had no choice but to ride on the alleged “system”.
Despite the creation of the independent body for the infrastructure probe as ordered by Pres. Bongbong Marcos which is armed with broad powers, the Senate continued its investigation. During the most recent Senate flood probe, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara aired his side on the issue.
Alcantara dragged former Sen. Bong Revilla into the flood control mess. He also claimed that Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co has pushed for the insertion of around P35 billion worth of projects within four (4) years. The Representative is one of the government officials that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended filing a case against.
Co was already in the United States when he was tagged by the Discayas in the flood control issue. Reportedly, the Representative flew abroad for his medical treatment. Countless Filipinos including the government called for his return to the country.
Newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked the Travel Clearance of Zaldy Co and urged him to return to the Philippines immediately — which has yet to happen. The Representative was given 10 calendar days to return to the country since the receipt of the notice.
Recently, following the accusations of Alcantara against him, based on a report on GMA News, the Representative denied the allegations against him anew.
“The allegations made against me during today’s Senate hearing are false and baseless. I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum,” he said.
As of this writing, there are still no updates about the return of Co to the Philippines. Amid the issue, Sen. Erwin Tulfo caught attention when he spoke about ‘bending’ the law during a Senate flood probe.