Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co Surrounded by Flood Control Corruption Accusations
ZALDY CO – Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla ordered the application for Interpol “Blue Notice” for the Representative amid the accusations of flood control corruption against him.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had a change in their leaderships amid the flood control issue in the Philippines. Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker after the Discayas accused him of allegedly receiving flood control kickbacks.
According to controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly receive a 30% kickback from the flood control projects. They made their claims during a Senate flood probe.
During a House flood probe, Mr. Discaya claimed that he never had a direct transaction with the Speaker. In the case of Co, the Ako Bicol Partylist Representative was already out of the country when he was tagged in the flood control issue.
Co reportedly flew to the United States for his medical treatment. Following the change of leadership in the House of Representatives, newly-elected House Speaker Bodjie Dy revoked the Travel Clearance of the Representative and order him to immediately return to the country.
However, even after more individuals have tagged him in the flood control issue, Rep. Zaldy Co has yet to return to the Philippines. Recently, based on a report on Inquirer, the Department of Justice confirmed the move to request for a “Blue Notice” from the Interpol over Co.
According to justice department spokesperson Mico Clavano, DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla has already given the instructions to apply for an Interpol “Blue Notice” for Co through the local offices. Based on the report, the DOJ Spokesperson stressed that the effort is based on the Senate inquiry over the flood control issue as well as the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
A “Blue Notice” from the Interpol can help provide more information to the Philippine authorities over the identity, location, and activities of Co. Amid the corruption accusations hurled against him, Rep. Zaldy Co responded to the revocation of his Travel Clearance claiming that he intends to return to the Philippines but is “apprehensive” now.