Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Speaks on Resignation of Zaldy Co amid Flood Control Accusations
ZALDY CO – Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. called the resignation of Co “a sacrifice” and allegedly a sign of respect.
The flood control mess in the Philippines left countless Filipinos disappointed not only with the supposed multi-billion corruption but also with the alleged involvement of several government officials to the issue. Controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya accused several congressmen of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects.
The Discayas named then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and then-Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co in the accusation of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. Both Romualdez and Co denied the allegations.
Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House Speaker amid the flood control corruption accusations against him. In the case Co, the then-Ako Bicol Partylist Representative was reportedly in the United States for his medical treatment when the accusation broke out.
Amid the ongoing Senate flood probe, a former marine who claimed as allegedly a former staff of Co, Orly Guteza, claimed that he was supposedly part of the team that delivered suitcases filled with money for Co and Romualdez.
Previously, amid the allegations, House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked the Travel Clearance of Zaldy Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines and face the corruption accusations against him. However, it did not happen. Instead, Co resigned from being the representative of Ako Bicol Partylist.
Amid the allegations against him, the Ako Bicol Partylist affirmed their support on Zaldy Co and called for a “due process” for their resigned Representative. Recently, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. also spoke on the resignation of Co.
Based on a post of News5 on social media, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. claimed that the resignation of Zaldy Co is allegedly not an abandonment. According to him, it is supposedly “a sacrifice”.
“Zaldy Co’s act of resignation is not an abandonment, but a sacrifice,” Garbin said.
Furthermore, based on the post, the Ako Bicol Partylist Representative also claimed that the resignation of Co also allegedly shows respect for the integrity of the institution. He stressed that it allows investigation to push through without “any suspicion of undue influence”.
Amid the issue, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Ping Lacson confirmed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co will be invited to the Senate flood probe.