Photo from Rep. Zaldy Co's Facebook page
MANILA (UPDATED) — Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co denied on Tuesday the allegations made against him before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, implicating him in the flood control mess.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara told the Senate that Co received payoffs ranging from 20 to 25 percent from his insertions in the national budget.
Co proposed a total of P35.024 billion in insertions in a span of four years, since 2022, to fund some 426 projects, according to Alcantara.
Zaldy Co proposed P13.8 billion insertions for flood control, other infra in 2025 budget: Tiangco
Co said the allegations are “false and baseless," adding that he reserves his right to respond before the proper forum.
“The allegations made against me during today’s Senate hearing are false and baseless. I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum,” he said in a statement.
Co has been absent from the lower House for weeks and is reportedly in the US for treatment.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has already revoked his travel clearance and ordered him to return to the Philippines within 10 calendar days from his receipt of the notice.
Navotas Lone District Rep. Toby Tiangco on Tuesday also filed an ethics complaint against Co over his alleged insertions in the national budgets.
Tiangco in the complaint citied Co's alleged violations of the Constitution, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials, and the House Rules.
Tiangco files ethics complaint against Zaldy Co over flood control insertions
RELATED VIDEO: