Following Zaldy Co’s Arrest, DILG Chief Remulla Speaks on Possible Claims of the Former Congressman
DILG – Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla tagged the arrest of former Congressman Zaldy Co as “fireworks”.
President Bongbong Marcos recently confirmed the arrest of former House Budget Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co. Marcos Jr. made the announcement on the eve of April 16 and confirmed that was “detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation”.
According to Pres. Marcos, the Philippine authorities are already coordinating with the Czech authorities for the return of Zaldy Co to the Philippines. He is faced with charges over his alleged involvement in the controversial multi-billion Peso flood control scam.
When the flood control issue broke out, Co was already out of the country. Several witnesses in the flood control issue implicated him in the supposed biggest corruption issue in the country so far. He is a former chairman of the House of Representatives’ budget appropriations committee.
Amid the allegations against him, Zaldy Co tagged Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control issue and the budget insertion mess. He claimed that the President and the former Speaker allegedly pocketed P56 billion from kickback all for themselves at once.
Malacañang was quick to dismiss the claim of Co then. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the former Congressman allegedly wants the investigation to stop so he tagged the President.
The Palace has always been vocal that it was Marcos Jr. who initiated the investigation of the flood control scam. DILG chief Jonvic Remulla was also vocal of his confidence that the Marcos Jr. administration will hold the culprits in the flood control mess accountable.
Recently, following the arrest of Zaldy Co, DILG chief Jonvic Remulla spoke on the matter. Based on News5 citing the interview of the Interior Secretary for Gud Morning Kapatid, Remulla claimed that Co seemingly left his “Golden Visa”, thus, he was not able to present a travel document when he tried to enter the Czech Republic.
“As of 5 p.m. Manila time, na-confirm na he was under arrest sa Prague dahil wala siyang travel documents. Parang hindi niya dala [ang golden visa] kaya wala siyang na-present,” the DILG Chief said.
Based on the post, DILG chief Jonvic Remulla also said that the arrest of Zaldy Co may allegedly be “fireworks” — seemingly a reference to the claims that the former Congressman may take. According to him, there is no certainty as to what Co will claim.
“Fireworks na ‘yan. All bets are off, hindi na natin alam kung anong sasabihin niya,” Remulla said.
The DILG Secretary takes consolation on the part that Zaldy Co will be under an oath before the Sandiganbayan. Thus, he may face perjury charges if he will lie. He stressed that the former Congressman will be under trial and would have the chance to defend himself.
Previously, amid the flood control issue, veteran actor Edu Manzano shared a Lenten post featuring Zaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.