Former congressman Zaldy Co remains abroad, citing threats to his life, as multiple Philippine agencies pursue graft and flood-control corruption probes. The House, DOJ, and Senate move to compel his return and accountability.
MANILA — Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has refused to return to the Philippines, saying he faces “serious and credible” threats to his life amid multiple investigations into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.
Co’s lawyer says client fears for safety
Co’s counsel Ruy Rondain said his client has received online messages and posts calling for violence, which they view as credible threats.
“He will come home when the threat has abated,” Rondain told reporters, adding that Co has not yet filed a counter-affidavit and that he does not know his client’s current whereabouts.
Rondain alleged that the Ombudsman had “pre-judged” the case and warned that public hostility could endanger Co’s safety.
Lawmakers urge Co to return and face inquiries
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said security threats must be proven but cannot serve as an indefinite reason to evade accountability.
“If there are threats, they must be proven—but that cannot be used as an excuse not to face the law,” he said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he is ready to sign a subpoena if the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee issues one, noting that non-compliance could lead to contempt proceedings and a possible arrest order.
Travel clearance revoked; House accepts resignation
On September 19, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III revoked Co’s travel clearance and ordered him to return within ten days to answer questions about his alleged role in ghost or substandard flood-control projects.
Instead, Co resigned from Congress on September 29, citing “personal safety concerns” and “a loss of confidence in due process.
The House Secretariat has since removed his name from the official roll of members.
DOJ seeks Interpol help to locate Co
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it would seek an Interpol Blue Notice to help track Co’s movements and determine his current location. Such a notice allows international law-enforcement agencies to collect and share information on a person’s identity and whereabouts during an active investigation.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the request is part of the government’s efforts to ensure accountability, stressing that “no one is above the law.”
Flood-control probe widens across agencies
Co’s name surfaced in connection with alleged “ghost” and substandard flood-control projects worth billions of pesos. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has filed graft and malversation complaints against 22 officials and contractors, while the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has transmitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., which he associated with Co, was behind several substandard flood-control projects in Oriental Mindoro—an allegation Co denies.
Rondain also dismissed as “fabricated” the testimony of a self-described former aide who told senators he had delivered cash to Co from contractors.
Co maintains innocence, says timing is political
Co has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “baseless” and “politically motivated.” He said he would answer the charges “in the proper forum at the proper time.”
“I have nothing to hide, but I will not walk into a situation where my safety cannot be assured,” he said.
Accountability versus personal safety
Co’s continued absence abroad—following the revocation of his travel clearance, House acceptance of his resignation, DOJ request for Interpol tracking, and Senate warning of possible contempt—underscores the difficulty of balancing accountability with legitimate security concerns.
Investigations by the DPWH, ICI, and Ombudsman remain ongoing into alleged misuse of public funds in flood-control projects. Officials say Co’s eventual return will test how far the administration’s anti-corruption drive can go without compromising due process or personal safety.
A test of due process and political will
The controversy surrounding Co places the Marcos administration’s anti-corruption campaign under close watch. Analysts note that how authorities handle his case, ensuring both fairness and transparency, will shape public trust in the country’s justice system.
For now, Zaldy Co remains overseas: his location undisclosed, his legal defense pending, and his case emblematic of a larger struggle to hold power to account in Philippine public works.
