Zaldy Co: Magalong's remarks based on rumors

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co on Thursday questioned statements made by Benjamin Magalong as he denied allegations made by the Baguio City mayor.

''Hindi ako sangkot sa anumang maling gawain batay sa kanyang malabong paratang,” Co said in a statement.

(I am not involved in any irregularities based on his unclear allegations.)

This, after Magalong said on Wednesday that the probe into anomalous flood control projects should start with Co. 

The former House appropriations panel chair, however, said that he was "surprised" that Magalong mentioned his name as he slammed the supposed lack of details in the Baguio mayor's allegations. 

"Wala espesipikong detalye pero hinuhusgahan na ako,” Co said. 

(There are no details, but I am already being judged.)

The lawmaker, meanwhile, raised doubts if Magalong would be an effective member of the planned independent commission being eyed to look into anomalous flood control projects amid reports that he will be included in it.

''Paano magkakaroon ng makatarungan at walang kinikilingang imbestigasyon kung bago pa man magsimula ang proseso, nagsasalita na si Mayor Magalong sa media laban sa akin batay sa sabi-sabi at tsismis?” he said. 

(How can we have a fair investigation when Mayor Magalong is already speaking to the media and telling information that is based on rumors?) 

Magalong has said that he is open to being part of the independent commission that will investigate anomalies concerning flood control projects. He, however, said there is no advice yet from the Office of the President regarding the matter.

The retired police official had disclosed that there were lawmakers receiving payoffs from infrastructure projects, including flood control programs. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro earlier said Magalong already submitted documents on the alleged corruption in flood control projects to the Office of the President.

Controversial contractor Curlee Discaya earlier alleged that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Co were mentioned to him repeatedly by at least one politician and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) representatives, respectively, in relation to commissions off flood control projects.

A day after that. Discaya clarified he did not have any personal transactions with the two lawmakers. 

Co was an incorporator of Sunwest Inc., the fifth leading flood control project contractor in the Bicol Region, before reportedly divesting from the firm.

Palace has said the independent commission would conduct a comprehensive review of projects, identify irregularities, and recommend accountability measures to ensure public trust in infrastructure spending. 

President Bongbong Marcos earlier said the independent body would be completely separate from the government and would be composed of a lawyer or a justice, an investigator, and a forensic accountant who would work with all government agencies—primarily with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the investigation aspect and the Commission on Audit (COA) for information.

The body will also have a recommendatory role and is expected to submit its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) or to the Office of the Ombudsman for the proper filing of cases, according to Marcos–VAL, GMA Integrated News