Amid the Flood Control Mess, Ombudsman Boying Remulla Speaks on Flood Control Accused Zaldy Co
Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that former House member Zaldy Co must return “billions” to the government first before dialogue.
When the flood control accusations against him crossed the surface, Zaldy Co was already out of the Philippines. He is the former representative of Ako Bicol Partylist in the House of Representatives. He is also the former chairman of the House Budget Appropriations Committee.
Co was first accused by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects of the government. Several other people including his former aide, Orly Guteza, also tagged him in the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
However, he refused to return to the Philippines and face the accusations against him. Instead, Zaldy Co implicated Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. into the issue saying he allegedly ordered a P100-billion insertion in the 2025 budget. He also claimed that Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly receive a P56-billion kickback all for themselves,
According to Malacañang, Zaldy Co allegedly wants to implicate the President into the flood control mess as he supposedly wants the investigation to stop. Amid the public’s call for accountability, charges have been filed against Co and several individuals linked to the flood control mess.
Recently, based on a report on GMA News, Ombudsman Boying Remulla spoke on a possible dialogue between Zaldy Co and the Philippine government. According to Remulla, Co should first return “billions” before the PH authorities will talk to him.
“I actually gave them a figure to chew on if they want to talk. Billions, of course,” the Ombudsman said.
Based on the report, Ombudsman Boying Remulla stressed that restitution should be part of the dialogue. According to him, there’s nothing to talk about if Zaldy Co will not return the money.
“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, dapat ‘yan ang una nating isama sa usapan. Ano ‘yun, makikipag usap ka, wala kang kasalanan, tapos wala kang ibibigay, wala kang isosoli. Ano pag uusapan natin? Wala kayong paguusapan, ano pa paguusapan niyo kung wala kayo isosoli?” the Ombudsman said.
Previously, amid the flood control probe, Senator JV Ejercito called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to “be more meticulous” in choosing a flood control state witness.