Flood Control Probe Witnesses Accuse Zaldy Co of Allegedly Receiving Kickback
ZALDY CO – The “Ako Bicol Partylist” expressed their support on their resigned representative amid the flood control corruption accusations hurled against him.
Newly-elected House Speaker Bojie Dy who replaced presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez in his position revoked the Travel Clearance of Co. He ordered the then-Ako Bicol Partylist Representative to return to the Philippines and face the corruption accusations against him.
Aside from controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya who accused Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects, some other resource persons during the Senate flood probe made the same accusation. A former marine, Orly Guteza, who claimed to be allegedly a former staff of Co also appeared before the upper chamber.
According to Guteza, he is allegedly part of the team who was tasked to deliver alleged suitcases filled with millions of money to Romualdez and Co. The “totally surprise witness” presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta was under a background check as per Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Ping Lacson. The Senator claimed that he was allegedly not informed about his appearance at the probe.
Amid the issue, both the Senate and the House of Representatives has a change of leadership. Presidential cousin and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker. According to him, he wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to be able to conduct their mandate fully and freely.
However, with regards to Zaldy Co, the Ako Bicol Partylist official resigned from being the partylist representative. Reportedly, the Congress could no longer force Co to return to the country following his resignation. Recently, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the partylist expressed its support and call for due process for its resigned representative.
“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,” Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said.
Based on the report, Garbin stressed that Co should “be presumed innocent” until proven guilty. He stressed that there are currently no pending charges against the resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative before the courts.
“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… As of now, this remains as all accusations, and as you know, he is entitled to his presumption of innocence,” he added.
Amid the issue, Department of Justice or DOJ Chief Boying Remulla dared Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and face the accusations against him if he is really innocent.