NAVOTAS Representative Toby Tiangco said Ako-Bicol representative Zaldy Co has no more excuses and must now explain the insertions he made in the 2025 national budget.
“Wala na pwedeng idahilan si Cong. Zaldy Co dahil mismong ang Speaker na ang nagpapauwi sa kanya. Panahon na para magpakita sya sa taumbayan at magpaliwanag kung saan napunta ang mga insertions nya sa 2025 national budget,” he said.
Tiangco thanked House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III for revoking Co’s travel clearance and for ordering his return to the Philippines.
“Maraming salamat sa ating bagong Speaker dahil inaksyunan nya agad itong isyu na ito. Matagal na nating sinasabi na kailangang humarap ni Cong. Zaldy sa mga hearing dahil may mga bagay na sya lang ang makakasagot,” Tiangco said.
He hailed the Speaker’s order saying this is a crucial step in dispelling doubts that real reforms would be implemented following the ouster of former speaker Rep. Martin Romualdez.
“Ipinapakita ng utos na ito ni Speaker na talagang may pagbabagong dala ang pagpapalit ng pamunuan ng Kongreso. Ipinapakita din nito na walang pinagtatakpan ang kanyang liderato,” he added.
With Co’s expected return, Tiangco expressed hope that Co would finally shed light on the insertions made by the 2024 small committee.
“Siguro naman pagkatapos ng napakahabang panahon ay handa na syang ilabas ang hinihingi nating minutes at reports ng kanilang mga meeting sa small committee,” he said.
“The Filipino people needs to know. Only by baring all the insertions made in the small committee, we can finally show real transparency and preserve the integrity of Congress as an institution,” he added.
