Sen. Ping Lacson Speaks on Arrest of Zaldy Co
PING LACSON – The Senate President Pro Tempore confirmed that the Senate will immediately order the appearance of Zaldy Co before the panel.
Zaldy Co was recently arrested in Prague as confirmed by President Bongbong Marcos. The former House of Representatives’ Budget Appropriations Chairman was about to enter the Czech Republic when he was intercepted by the authorities.
According to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Zaldy Co has possibly not brought his Golden Visa when he attempted to enter the Czech Republic. Thus, he had no travel documents to present to the authorities.
The Philippine authorities has cancelled the passport of Co amid the massive flood control accusations against him. Amid the allegations against him, the former Congressman previously tagged Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the corruption issues.
According to Zaldy Co, Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly received a P56-million kickback from the budget inserted in the national funds. He also claimed that he was allegedly told by Romualdez to stay out of the country as per the supposed order of Marcos Jr.
Malacañang defended the President. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, Zaldy Co allegedly wants to tag Pres. Bongbong Marcos in the mess as he supposedly want the investigation to be stopped.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate launched their respective flood control investigations aside from the probe of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI. The Senate’s investigation is handled by the Blue Ribbon Committee which is led by Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson.
Recently, following the arrest of Zaldy Co, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson confirmed that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will order the appearance of the former Congressman upon his return to the Philippines. His remarks came after Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously confirmed that the Philippine authorities are coordinating with the Czech authorities for the return of Co.
“He was earlier issued a show cause order by the BRC last January when he failed to appear after being invited to testify,” Lacson said based on a report of News5.
Recently, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla reacted to the arrest of Zaldy Co in Prague.