Sen. Bato dela Rosa Reacts to Zaldy Co’s Resignation from Ako Bicol Partylist
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator asserted that the Senate can now invited Zaldy Co following his resignation from the House of Representatives.
Several congressmen are accused of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects of the government. Controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya linked Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde, Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro among others to the issue.
Aside from Atayde, Teodoro, and Romulo, the Discayas also accused then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co of the same accusation in their joint affidavit.
Presidential cousin and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker amid the accusation of flood control corruption against him. According to the Congressman, he wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to fully and freely exercise their mandate.
Then-Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co was already in the United States when the Discayas mentioned his name in their joint affidavit. Reportedly, he flew to U.S. for his treatment.
Amid the accusations of flood control corruptions against the then-Ako Bicol Partylist Representative, newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked the Travel Clearance of Zaldy Co and ordered his return to the Philippines. However, he has yet to return to the country amid the growing accusations against him.
Instead of returning to the country, Zaldy Co resigned from being the representative of Ako Bicol Partylist. Following his resignation, based on a post of News5 on social media, Sen. Bato dela Rosa asserted that Co may now be invited to the Senate flood probe.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa stressed that inviting Zaldy Co to the Senate flood probe is no longer a violation of the tradition of interparliamentary courtesy. Based on the post, he stressed that Co may allegedly be issued an arrest warrant if he will not attend the investigation.
“Pwede na siyang imbitahan. Hindi na natin ma-violate ‘yung tradition ng interparliamentary courtesy. Sisipot siya o hindi, he will be issued a warrant of arrest coming from the Senate kung hindi siya sisipot,“ the Senator said.
Amid the corruption accusations against him, the Ako Bicol Partylist expressed its support to its resigned representative, Zaldy Co.