Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co of Ako Bicol Party-list, implicated in Senate hearings and DOJ–NBI findings on alleged flood-control anomalies involving billions in public works contracts. (House of Representatives photo)
The DOJ said the NBI has recommended charges against Rep. Zaldy Co, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Bong Revilla, and other officials in the widening flood-control corruption probe.
MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday, September 23, that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended filing charges against Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and several former officials in connection with alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the recommendation was based on the affidavit of dismissed DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, who is being evaluated by the DOJ for possible inclusion in the Witness Protection Program (WPP) as part of the probe.
Remulla said the affidavit was reviewed by the NBI, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the National Prosecution Service (NPS). The AMLC has already issued freeze orders on the bank accounts of those implicated.
According to the DOJ, the possible charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), indirect bribery under the Revised Penal Code, and malversation of public funds.
Also recommended for prosecution were Alcantara himself, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former Caloocan City Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy. The DOJ is also reviewing the possible liability of Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and his spouse.
Witnesses detail alleged cash deliveries
At the same hearing, dismissed DPWH Bulacan engineer Brice Hernandez testified that they delivered suitcases containing about ₱1 billion in cash to Rep. Zaldy Co through his aide, identified only as “Paul.” He said the instructions came from Alcantara, and that deliveries were made in over 20 suitcases transported in several vans.
The cash was first brought to a hotel basement in Bonifacio Global City, then to a penthouse, and later to Co’s residence in Valle Verde, Pasig City. Hernandez clarified that the cash was never handed directly to Co but to his aide.
Former project engineer Jaypee Mendoza supported Hernandez’s account, admitting that projects in Bulacan since 2019 were systematically substandard because commissions of 25 to 30 percent of project costs allegedly went to political proponents.
They testified that even hospitals, classrooms, bridges, and streetlights were affected by cost-padding and altered specifications. Senators Erwin Tulfo and Bam Aquino raised concerns over the safety of public infrastructure, warning of risks in the event of an earthquake.
In his sworn affidavit, Alcantara identified Co as the “top proponent” of flood-control insertions amounting to ₱35 billion between 2022 and 2025. Alcantara also claimed that projects under his district were saddled with 20 to 25 percent “obligations” (kickbacks) that benefited political proponents.
Lawmakers implicated
During testimony, Alcantara also named Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as among those allegedly connected to the flood-control mess, apart from Co.
Tiangco files ethics complaint
Also on September 23, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed an ethics complaint in the House against Co. Tiangco alleged that Co violated constitutional and ethical standards by authorizing last-minute budget “insertions and realignments” in the 2025 General Appropriations Act while serving as Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the 19th Congress.
He claimed Co allowed projects to bypass priority programs and diverted some foreign-assisted projects to unprogrammed appropriations. Tiangco also questioned Co’s absence since the opening of the 20th Congress, noting that while the lawmaker cited medical treatment abroad, no medical certificates have been publicly submitted.
Villanueva’s denial
Senator Joel Villanueva denied involvement, stressing that Alcantara himself admitted the senator never sought or authorized flood-control projects. Villanueva said his requests were for multipurpose buildings in Bulacan, not flood-control works.
Estrada’s denial
Senator Jinggoy Estrada also rejected the allegations, noting that previous pork barrel cases filed against him had already been resolved by the courts. He cautioned colleagues against casting doubt on those rulings, calling such doubts not only an insult to him personally but also a “dangerous affront to the judiciary.”
Revilla’s denial
Former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. likewise denied any role in the alleged kickbacks. In a message to reporters, Revilla said, “I have nothing to do with any of that.” He emphasized that he was not involved in the flood-control projects under investigation.
Speaker Dy’s directive
In his written directive, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Co’s presence in the House was necessary to address pressing matters. The order revoked Co’s travel clearance and warned that failure to comply could result in “appropriate disciplinary and legal actions.”
Contracts and background scrutiny
Co’s family-owned Sunwest Group of Companies, particularly Sunwest Infrastructure Development Corp., has secured over ₱86 billion worth of DPWH contracts from 2016 to 2025, according to a two-part Inquirer
Lawmakers and watchdogs have raised concerns over budget “insertions” and the overlap between Co’s role as House Appropriations chair in the 19th Congress and his family’s construction business.
The scrutiny intensified following revelations that ₱207 billion in flood-control contracts were awarded to firms linked to the Discaya family, now under Senate and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) review.
Co’s defense and whereabouts
In a statement carried by several news outlets, Co denied wrongdoing, stressing that the 2025 national budget was enacted through the full legislative process — passed by the House, reviewed by the Senate, and signed by the President. He added that not all allocations were implemented since some were vetoed or withheld. Co described the allegations as politically motivated.
Co said his recent trip abroad was for medical treatment in the United States. U.S. Customs records show he arrived in New York on August 26 and departed on September 13, but his current whereabouts have not been publicly disclosed.
About Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co
Elizaldy “Zaldy” Salcedo Co (born December 8, 1970) has represented the Ako Bicol Party-list in the House of Representatives since 2019. He chaired the House Committee on Appropriations in the 19th Congress, overseeing the national budget.
Co has long been linked to the Sunwest Group of Companies and Misibis Bay Resort in Albay. He maintains that he divested from Sunwest in 2019, when he entered Congress.
As of this report, no court or Ombudsman ruling has found him liable for any wrongdoing, although he remains under investigation in connection with infrastructure projects.
Social media attention
The Co family also came under online scrutiny. Claudine Co, daughter of businessman and former Ako Bicol representative (2010–2019) Christopher “Kito” Salcedo Co and niece of Zaldy Co, is a known lifestyle influencer. Her posts on travel, fashion, and luxury have drawn public attention amid the flood-control controversy, and she has since deactivated or limited her social media accounts.
Separately, lifestyle blogger Camille Co publicly clarified that she has no relation to the Co family after netizens mistakenly linked her to the case.
Public pressure
On September 21, protest rallies marking the anniversary of martial law demanded accountability in government spending, including flood-control projects.
With testimonies now on record, charges under evaluation, and parallel House proceedings underway, the flood-control controversy is widening into one of the most significant corruption probes in recent years. The outcomes of the DOJ review, the Senate inquiry, and the House ethics case are expected to determine not only the political fate of Rep. Zaldy Co but also the credibility of ongoing reforms in public infrastructure spending.
