Rep. Elizaldy Co
AKO Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co has resigned from the House of Representatives, citing grave threats to his family’s lives and a denial of due process amid allegations of massive corruption related to flood control projects.
Co, who has repeatedly denied the accusations from abroad, announced his resignation in a letter to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III posted on his Facebook account.
“On the account of the real, direct, grave and imminent threat to the lives of my family and me, and the evident denial of my right to due process of law, I am constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives,” Co stated in his letter dated September 29.
Co’s resignation follows a recommendation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Ombudsman for the possible filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against him and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Oriental Mindoro.
The ICI recommendation is linked to a P289.5 million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, implemented by contractor Sunwest Inc., which has historical links to Co.
Co maintains his innocence, stating that the allegations have conditioned the public to condemn him and his family, leading to threats against their lives. He also announced a temporary leave of absence from Ako Bicol party-list, assuring that the party’s public service efforts will continue.
The Philippine National Police has confirmed the recall of Co’s security detail after he left the country. Last week, the DPWH requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze Co and his family’s P4.3 billion worth of assets.
