Former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co Accused of Receiving Flood Control Kickback
ZALDY CO – The resigned Representative earned the support of Ako Bicol Partylist amid the issue of flood control corruption against him.
Several senators and congressmen are accused of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. The claims were made by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez and Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Undersecretary Claire Castro, and former marine Orly Guteza.
Despite the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI, the Senate pushed through with its investigation on the flood control mess. One of the government officials who were tagged in the issue was Zaldy Co who recently tendered his resignation to the House of Representatives.
Co was already in the United States when the Discayas linked him to the flood control issue. According to the controversial contractor, he and Romualdez allegedly make a huge kickback from the flood control projects.
Co denied the allegations of corruption against him. He previously claimed that he will face the accusations and clear his name in the proper forum. Newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked his Travel Clearance and ordered his immediate return to the Philippines.
However, Zaldy Co resigned amid the flood control corruption accusations against him. Through it, the House of Representatives could no longer force him to return to the country. He previously claimed that he allegedly have every intention to go home and clear his name but he is “apprehensive” over his safety.
Following his resignation, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Ako Bicol Partylist expressed their support on Zaldy Co amid the accusations of corruption hurled against him. Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. stressed that Co should “be presumed innocent” until proven guilty.
“Ako Bicol party-list stands united behind him, lalung-lalo na in this most difficult time. And we call on the public to give Cong. Zaldy Co the due process, which he is entitled to sa lahat ng allegations sa kanya,” he said.
Furthermore, based on the report, the Ako Bicol Partylist Representative called for “due process” for Zaldy Co. He also spoke against “trial by publicity” saying that there are no charges filed against the partylist’s resigned representative yet.
“Since hindi pa nga umuusad ang kaso, ang panawagan namin na mabigyan din ng due process si Congressman Zaldy Co, and not to be tried by, we call it trial by publicity, na kumbaga convicted ka na sa mata ng taumbayan. Sa ngayon, lahat lang imbestigasyon and those are just accusations that have to be proven yet in the courts of law or in any quasi-judicial bodies,” Garbin added.
Amid the issue, Department of Justice chief Boying Remulla admitted that he expected the resignation of Co. The DOJ previously confirmed that it will apply for a “Blue Notice” to the Interpol for Zaldy Co.