Marilyn Cahatol

Rep, Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 5, 2022 briefing on the P163.8-billion budget proposal of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached corporations for Fiscal Year 2023. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout

Article (news)

CONGRESS-AGRICULTURE

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (UPDATED) — House Speaker Faustino &quot;Bojie&quot; Dy III on Monday said the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/zaldy-co-resigns-as-house-representative-amid-flood-control-scandal-1600">resignation </a>of Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co does not absolve him of accountability, but it effectively strips Congress of jurisdiction to summon him before the House Ethics Committee.</p><p>Co tendered his resignation hours before the Ethics Committee was set to deliberate on the complaints against him, averting an imminent suspension or even expulsion.</p><p>“Hinihintay namin hanggang 12 midnight itong pag-submit sa amin, pagbigay ni Congressman Pido Garbin ng kanyang resignation. Kami lahat ay nabigla sapagkat ang usapan, nakausap natin iyong chair ng ethics na by tomorrow ay i-a-address na ng kanyang committee. At ang next step namin ay sana&#x27;y i-suspend namin si Congressman Zaldy Co, at kung hindi pa rin siya makikipag-cooperate hanggang umabot na ma-expel,” Dy said.</p><p>The House Speaker made clear that the responsibility to pursue the cases now lies with other state institutions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/ici-recommends-filing-of-cases-against-zaldy-co-over-mindoro-flood-control-project-1411">ICI recommends raps vs Co, other DPWH officials amid &#x27;irregularities&#x27; in P290-M Mindoro project</a></div><p>&quot;Bahala na ang Department of Justice at gano&#x27;n din ang ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) kung anong pwede nilang ipataw. Pero kailangan talagang bumalik siya sa lahat ng paraan na magawa. Dapat mapabalik siya at managutan siya,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/remulla-on-zaldy-co-i-don-t-expect-him-to-come-home-1628">Remulla on Zaldy Co: &#x27;I don’t expect him to come home&#x27;</a></div><p>Ethics and Privileges Committee chair Jonathan Clement Abalos confirmed that the panel had already prepared to act but lost jurisdiction with Co’s exit. Under House rules, the Ethics Committee’s power extends only to incumbent members.</p><p>&quot;Ayon po sa Section 2 ng internal rules ng Committee on Ethics: The Committee on Ethics has jurisdiction over duties, conducts, immunities, rights, as well as the reputation and integrity of the House and any of its members,&quot; said Abalos.</p><p>&quot;Since naipahatid na po ni former Congressman Co ang kanyang resignation, in effect, nawalan po ng jurisdiction ang Committee on Ethics,&quot; he added.</p><p>The House leadership revealed that efforts to reach Co were made through Congressman Pido Garbin, who relayed that Co had submitted letters citing medical reasons for his failure to return to the country. However, the leave he applied for was classified only as personal leave, not medical leave.</p><p>Lawmakers also said that Co had not provided any supporting medical documents, such as a certificate, to substantiate his claims.</p><p>The Speaker further confirmed that Co remains unaccounted for. </p><p>But when asked if Co’s resignation was an attempt to evade accountability, Dy dismissed the notion, stressing that responsibility does not end with membership in the House. </p><p>Abalos explained that aside from congressional processes, cases may still be filed in civil or criminal courts.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/da-chief-willing-give-house-ethics-panel-information-on-zaldy-co-1441">DA chief willing give House ethics panel information on Zaldy Co</a></div><p>&quot;The committee on ethics is not the only area for recourse or justice. In any case, anyone can still file a civil or criminal case against any member or against any former member of the house of representatives kaya kahit na nag-resign si former Congressman Zaldy Co, that doesn&#x27;t exempt him from accountability,&quot; Abalos said.</p><p>Dy added that the House must still formally address Co&#x27;s resignation in the plenary. He then assured the public that despite the controversy, the House would focus on its legislative work.</p><p>“Ngayon ang priority ng Congress ay maipasa ang malinis na budget para ito ay maipadala na natin sa Senado,” Dy said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/doj-to-request-for-interpol-notice-for-zaldy-co-palace-1512">DOJ to request for Interpol notice for Zaldy Co: Palace</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uNCgBCSDNuY?si=6zEnKAZ1l_8acncx" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Monday said the resignation of Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co does not absolve him of accountability, but it effectively strips Congress of jurisdiction to summon him before the House Ethics Committee.</p>

House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Monday said the resignation of Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co does not absolve him of accountability, but it effectively strips Congress of jurisdiction to summon him before the House Ethics Committee.

Resignation shields Zaldy Co from House ethics probe; DOJ urged to take over

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Resignation shields Zaldy Co from House ethics probe; DOJ urged to take over

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 29, 2025 07:38 PM PHT

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Updated September 29, 2025 08:39 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Zaldy Co

Bojie Dy

JC Abalos

Flood Control

HOR

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