Sandro Marcos tells Zaldy Co to return, says allegations dragging House in the mud

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos on Wednesday called on Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to come home amid allegations of involvement in anomalous government flood control projects and allegedly forcing the government to issue his fishing business an import permit.

“I'm gonna be the first one to tell you that he should come home and face any and all allegations against him,” Marcos told reporters.

“They are too severe, and it is dragging the House in the mud,” he added.

Contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya earlier testified in the Senate that several congressmen, their staff, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways are allegedly involved in corruption in the country’s flood control projects.

The Discayas alleged that Co asked for 25% commission on the government flood control projects. And just this week, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. accused Co of forcing him to issue importation permits for fish to Co’s three companies.

Marcos, however, said the House did not have the authority to compel Co to show up in the House of Representatives.

“I don't know if that is something you can do as a body, but again, I think you should come home and face allegations against him,” Marcos pointed out.

Still, Marcos said Co may be subjected to an ethics complaint before the House ethics panel and, worse, be expelled as a House member if he incurs too many absences, just like the case of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves.

“I mean, there is a precedent for it from Arnie Teves, Jr.,” Marcos added.

Back in August 2023, the House voted to expel Teves for disorderly conduct and his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

The House plenary's decision stemmed from the recommendation made by the House Committee on Ethics, chaired by Coop-NATCCO party-list Representative Felimon Espares.

“The prolonged unauthorized absence of Rep. A. Teves Jr. deprives the 3rd District of Negros Oriental of proper representation and undermines the efficiency of the legislative process," the committee report read.