SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has questioned the validity of the medical records submitted by former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co as justification for his absence from Friday’s Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the flood control controversy.
During the hearing, Gatchalian made a conditional motion for the committee to issue a subpoena against Co, contingent on whether the committee would hold further hearings on the issue.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, noted that Co was among those invited to the November 14 hearing. However, Co did not attend, with his lawyer, Ruy Alberto Rondain, citing medical reasons for his continued stay abroad.
“In his excuse letter, he included medical records stating that he could not attend due to illness. But when I looked at the medical records he sent, first of all, this is dated January 23, 2025, so it’s already outdated,” Gatchalian said.
“Secondly, I consulted our Senate doctor, and his initial assessment was also that these medical records are outdated. Based on his analysis, there is nothing written here indicating that he cannot come here,” he added.
Gatchalian further pointed out that Co’s medical records indicated that the former congressman had already been “discharged” and was not confined in a hospital.
He also noted that Co presented documents of his appointments at Massachusetts General Hospital dated September 22, 2025.
“Almost two months have passed. So, Mr. Chairman, this excuse letter from Mr. Zaldy Co is unacceptable, and it is not, for me, acceptable to use this as a reason why he cannot attend our hearing,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian emphasized that Co should be compelled to attend if the blue ribbon committee holds another hearing. If he still refuses, the senator said a contempt order should be issued against the former congressman.
“Same treatment, we will do the same to those we invited who did not attend. Next, we will send them a subpoena,” Lacson said.
Co is among those implicated in the flood control controversy, but he has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
In a video released by his camp to reporters on Friday, Co accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and some members of the Cabinet of orchestrating alleged “insertions” worth P100 billion in the national budget.
