Ched Rick Gatchalian

Rep. Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 14, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/File 

 

Article (news)

Lawmakers reiterate need for Co's return to face allegations

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17583437543221757124738705ZALDY CO.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rep. Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 14, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/FileRep. Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 14, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/File"/>Rep. Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 14, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/File</div>MANILA –  Some lawmakers believe Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co should face the Independent Commission on Infrastructure looking into alleged anomalous flood control projects, upon his return to the Philippines.House Speaker Faustino &quot;Bojie&quot; Dy III earlier revoked the travel clearance of Co and ordered him to come home within 10 calendar days of receipt of the notice.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/19/speaker-revokes-zaldy-co-s-travel-clearance-orders-his-immediate-return-1449">READ: Speaker revokes Zaldy Co’s travel clearance, orders his immediate return</a></div>Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said Co is being given an opportunity to air his side, as he faces allegations of insertions in the 2025 national budget.&quot;Pag bumalik po siya nandiyan na yung pagkakataon na maipaliwanag niya at maitanong natin ano ba talaga yung nangyari sa 2025 budget bicam,&quot; he said in an interview on DZMM Teleradyo on Saturday.Diokno believes it would be best if Co would also face the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) looking into the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.&quot;Maganda rin kung humarap si Congressman Zaldy Co. Kasi hangga’t hindi natin alam yung katotohanan sa mga bicam insertions sa 2025 na talagang nakaapekto sa ating lahat dahil nga sa nangyaring flood control ghost project at yung mga talagang ginawa ng maayos, ay talagang tuloy tuloy ang galit ng sambayanang Pilipino,&quot; he said.Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco echoed this sentiment, saying Co can no longer give excuses since he has to heed the call of the House Speaker.Tiangco earlier accused Co of inserting P13.8 billion in the bicameral conference committee version of the 2025 budget. Co has denied this allegation.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/zaldy-co-should-be-brought-back-to-ph-forcibly-if-necessary-puno-0946">Zaldy Co should be brought back to PH, &#x27;forcibly if necessary,&#x27; says Puno</a></div>&quot;Once he comes back, I think the most important thing is mapatawag siya ng ICI, ng Independent Commission on Infrastructure. Mahirap kasi kung sa House siya pupunta. Kasi hindi naman siya pwede mag-testify under oath doon, sabi ng Chairman ng Infra Comm. Ang sabi pwede siya imbitiahin as a voluntary guest, but he cannot be a resource person,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News on Saturday.&quot;Para sakin ang pinaka maganda, sabihin niya lahat doon sa Independent Commission on Infrastructure,&quot; the lawmaker added.Tiangco reiterated the need for Infra Comm to terminate its probe and let the Independent Commission on Infrastructure do its job.&quot;Eh kung sa sabihin naman lang legislation or oversight, eh di kung ano yung findings ng ICI, yun ang gawan natin ng legislation. Mas maganda yun. So independent body ang nagsabi na ito yung mga kinakailangan batas na gawin, then mas okay yun,&quot; he said.House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said the Infra Comm may soon terminate its investigation to give way to the independent commission&#x27;s probe.House Infra Comm Co-chairperson Terry Ridon said they have yet to receive a directive to terminate or suspend its proceedings from the new House Speaker.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/16/agri-chief-explains-revelations-on-zaldy-co-in-house-budget-hearing-1642">Agri chief says revelations on Zaldy Co meant to defend import system</a></div>The lawmaker said they are open to sharing information to the independent commission.Tiangco also lauded the move of the new House Speaker to order Co&#x27;s return.&quot;Napakaganda nitong ginawa ni Speaker Bojie Dy... Pinakita niya kaagad ang aksyon na ginawa niya na kinaansal niya ang travel authority ni Congressman Zaldy Co at sinabi niya dun sa sulat na siya kailangan umuwi at magpaliwanag, he said.&quot;These are steps na maganda na ipakita na talagang kung sino may kasalanan ay dapat magpanagot at dapat magpaliwanag si Congressman Zaldy Co, dahil siya magpapaliwanag kung ano yung nangyari na sa insertions doon sa small committee at doon sa bicam,&quot; Tiangco added.The lawmaker said the move is in line with Dy&#x27;s promise to spare no one from accountability.&quot;It shows that the leadership is sincere and serious doon sa pagpapabalik kay Congressman Zaldy Co... So ngayon dito sa aksyon ni Speaker Bojie Dy, maliwanag na hindi niya pro-proteksyunan kahit sino,&quot; Tiangco said.Co, who is reportedly in the United States for medical treatment, has yet to issue a statement on the matter.House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega likewise said Co may air his side through technology or any platform available.Should Co not return within the prescribed period, the House Speaker said he may face disciplinary and legal actions.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/6/zaldy-co-should-clarify-ties-to-sunwest-alleged-budget-insertions-lawmaker-1218">Zaldy Co should clarify ties to SunWest, alleged budget insertions: lawmaker</a></div>

Some lawmakers believe Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co should face the Independent Commission on Infrastructure looking into alleged anomalous flood control projects, upon his return to the Philippines.

Some lawmakers believe Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co should face the Independent Commission on Infrastructure looking into alleged anomalous flood control projects, upon his return to the Philippines.

Some lawmakers believe Co should face independent commission upon return to PH

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Some lawmakers believe Co should face independent commission upon return to PH

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 20, 2025 01:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Zaldy Co

Budget

House of Representatives

Flood control projects

Chel Diokno

Toby Tiangco

SunWest

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