Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has spoken out about the allegations of corruption against him. According to Co, the accusations are “false, baseless, and politically charged.”
In his letter to House Speaker Bojie Dy, Co said he was saddened when his travel clearance was revoked while he was in the United States for long-scheduled medical care. He insisted that the decision was due to “pressure” and not based on due process.
Co denied accusations such as budget insertions, being the owner of the plane used by former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, requesting fish import allocations for ZC Victory Fishing Corporation, and allegedly receiving money from DPWH projects. He said the media made the situation worse and his family condemned them in the court of public opinion.
Co appealed that upon his return to the Philippines, he would be given due process and ensure the safety of his family. But according to Speaker Dy, he must appear in person in the country to answer the allegations and the case before the House Committee on Ethics.
Meanwhile, investigations by the Senate and House revealed billion pesos missing from flood control projects. As a result, the Independent Commission on Infrastructure was created to investigate irregularities over the past 10 years. On September 21, thousands of citizens protested against corruption, including the “Baha sa Luneta” and the “Trillion Peso March” on EDSA that caused the closure of roads due to the large number of people.
