Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co on Monday announced his resignation from the House of Representatives following a swirl of corruption allegations tied to flood control projects and budget insertions—claims he has consistently denied while staying abroad.
In a Facebook post, Co shared his resignation letter addressed to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, dated September 29. He cited “real, direct, grave and imminent threat” to his life and that of his family, as well as what he described as the denial of his right to due process. “I am constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives,” Co wrote.
ICI Calls for Graft Charges
Co’s decision came shortly after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended to the Ombudsman the filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against him and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The recommendation stemmed from a P289.5 million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which was carried out by contractor Sunwest Inc., a firm with reported ties to Co.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka confirmed that DPWH Region IV-B officials, including Regional Director Engr. Gerald Pacanan and Assistant Regional Directors Gene Ryan Altea and Ruben Santos Jr. were also included in the referral.
Replacement and Party Continuity
In his letter, Co assured that Ako Bicol would soon notify Speaker Dy of the nominee who will assume his vacated seat. He pledged to clear his congressional office to allow for a smooth transition.
Separately, Co informed the Ako Bicol leadership that he would take a leave of absence from the organization. He stressed, however, that its advocacy and public service initiatives would continue despite his absence.
‘Lives in Grave Danger’
The embattled lawmaker said the corruption allegations aired during the Senate Blue Ribbon inquiry had subjected him and his family to public condemnation, which has now escalated into direct threats to their safety. “We are in grave danger,” Co declared, maintaining that the charges against him were unfounded.
The Philippine National Police confirmed that Co’s five police escorts were recalled after he left the country. Meanwhile, the DPWH recently asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze P4.3 billion worth of air assets linked to Co and his family as part of the government’s crackdown on alleged ill-gotten wealth.