Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Speaks on Zaldy Co’s Resignation amid Flood Control Mess in PH
Zaldy Co’s resignation from being the representative of Ako Bicol Partylist is allegedly “a sacrifice” according to Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.
Several officials of the government, specifically members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, are accused of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. One of them is resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.
Zaldy Co was one of the government officials name-dropped by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in their joint affidavit during a Senate flood probe. According to the contractors, he and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly get at least 30% kickback from the flood control deals.
The Discayas also accused Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde, Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro, and Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. According to them, they allegedly had no choice to ride on the supposed “system” so the projects awarded to them can push through.
Amid the ongoing Senate flood probe, Co was tagged by several individuals who were invited as resource persons to the investigation. However, the then-Ako Bicol Partylist Representative was already out of the country when the accusations against him broke out.
Zaldy Co denied the alleged P35-billion budget insertions and allegations of flood control kickbacks. Newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked his Travel Clearance and ordered him to return to the Philippines immediately and face the accusations against him.
However, instead of returning to the Philippines, it was Zaldy Co’s resignation from being the representative of the Ako Bicol Partylist that transpired next. The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that they are trying to track Co to determine his location.
Zaldy Co claimed that he allegedly has every intention to return to the Philippines but he is now “apprehensive” over his safety amid the supposed public condemnation brought to him by the Senate and House investigations. Recently, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. claimed that Zaldy Co’s resignation is allegedly “a sacrifice”.
“Zaldy Co’s resignation is not an abandonment, but a sacrifice,” Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said based on a post.
Garbin further expressed that Zaldy Co’s resignation allegedly shows “respect for institutional integrity, allowing investigations to proceed free of any suspicion of undue influence”.
Recently, Sen. Ping Lacson confirmed that the Senate will invite Zaldy Co and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez to the flood probe conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee.