UNLIKE THE VICTIMS of the bloody war against drugs perpetrated by the previous administration, a partylist congressman behind the biggest corruption scandal to hit the country, has been accorded the right to live and due process.
However, time doesn’t seem on Ako Bicol partylist Congressman Zaldy Co’s side even as House Speaker Faustino Dy III reminded the fugitive legislator that he only has until Monday (September 29) to return to the Philippines — and defend himself in the proper forum, legally.
“You have until Monday to comply with our directive. As we stressed in our Sept. 18, 2025 communication to you, failure to comply shall be construed as your refusal to subject yourself to the lawful processes of the House and will result in the initiation of appropriate disciplinary and legal actions,” reads part of a document signed by Dy for his beleaguered colleague.
Aside from allegations of receiving billions worth of kickbacks from ghost government-funded infrastructure projects, Co is also facing an ethics complaint which may warrant suspension — or worse, expulsion from the roster of House legislators.
Co left the country by virtue of a travel authority secured weeks before Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez stepped down as Speaker of the House of Representatives. His reason — medical treatment.
The House leader assured Co that should he return, “we will coordinate with proper authorities to secure your safety and that of your family.”
He emphasized that the revocation of Co’s travel clearance should not be construed as prejudgment but as an “opportunity to answer the allegations against you directly and in the proper forum.”
“Aside from the issues that have been raised against you, you also face a complaint that is now in the House Ethics Committee.”
“Coming home will allow you to respond to this complaint and to fully present and elaborate on the defenses you elaborated in your letter,” he quipped.
According to the House leader, the proper way to address matters is not through correspondence from abroad, but by returning, appearing in the proper forum and answering charges directly.
Co’s name forms part of a list of government officials (executive and legislative), private contractors and other personalities dragged into the flood control funds scandal.