Zaldy Co calls corruption allegations 'false, baseless, politically charged'
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has broken his silence on the corruption allegations against him, calling them "false, baseless, and politically charged."
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Bojie Dy dated Sept. 25, Co—who's in the United States as confirmed by House spokesperson Princess Abante on Sept. 4—said Dy revoking his travel clearance on Sept. 18 is a news he met with "both sadness and grave concern."
"I am saddened that my colleagues in the House of Representatives would deprive me of the time needed for medical care that I have long previously scheduled," he said.
He claimed that Dy's revocation of his travel clearance was "borne by pressure, rather than adherence to facts and procedure."
"I have intention of returning to the Philippines," Co said. "I am also intent on belying the false claims made against me before the proper forum. Yet, I am very much apprehensive about what awaits me should I return to the Philippines given that the public and your good office have prejudged me."
Co, the former chairman of the House appropriations committee, decried the "false, baseless, and politically charged statements" against him made in hearings on anomalous flood control projects at the Senate and the House of Representatives. He also accused the media of condemning him "in the court of public opinion and having stirred public hatred" against him and his family.
He declared as "untrue" the allegations that he made budget insertions, that he owns the aircraft that ferried former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, that he requested fish import allocations for a certain ZC Victory Fishing Corporation, and that he received funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways' projects.
"I hope that, when I return to the Philippines, I would be afforded the process and would ensure the safety of my family and me," Co said.
House urges Co to return
House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III called on Co to come back to the country and answer the accusations himself.
In a letter addressed to Co, Dy assured the lawmaker that the House will "coordinate with proper authorities to secure your safety and that of your family" should he decide to go back to the Philippines.
He clarified that revoking his travel clearance was a necessary step to give him the opportunity to answer the allegations directly in the proper forum.
"Aside from the issues that have been raised against you, you also face a complaint that is now with the House Committee on Ethics. Coming home will allow you to respond to this complaint, as well as to fully present and elaborate on the defenses you outlined in your letter," he wrote.
"We reiterate that the only proper way to address these matters is not through correspondence from abroad, but by returning, appearing at the proper forum, and answering the charges directly," Dy continued.
Co is given until Monday, Sept. 29 to comply. Failure to comply means Co refuses the House's lawful process and will face disciplinary and legal action.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed an ethics complaint against Co, citing violations of the 1987 Constitution, the Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the House rules.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
On Sept. 21, thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest corruption in flood control initiatives. In Metro Manila, the “Baha sa Luneta” rally, which was organized by activist groups and university students, saw thousands of people on the streets by Sunday morning. The “Trillion Peso March” that afternoon, referring to the trillions allegedly lost to systemic corruption, at the People Power Monument on EDSA saw the closure of all northbound lanes due to the swelling of the crowd.