Where is Zaldy Co? Lawmaker left New York on September 13, US records show

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has reportedly left the US.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "24 Oras," records of the US Customs and Border Protection showed that Co arrived in New York on August 26. 

The same records showed that he left the city on September 13.

The website of the US agency didn't indicate where Co went next.

Co went to the US for medical treatment, according to House spokesperson and lawyer Princess Abante.

The contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya have told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that Co was among those who received kickbacks from flood control projects.

In his statement, Co said the accusations were “baseless and irresponsible,” and that they were “politically motivated.”

“I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing held today. These unsubstantiated claims, which attempt to implicate me, are not only hearsay but are also politically motivated, designed to mislead the public and deflect accountability,” Co said.

This developed Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Monday the House leadership and Ethics Committee will discuss further steps to ensure Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co comes back home if the latter fails to show up in Batasan within 10 days starting September 18.

“Pag-uusapan natin, pag-uusapan ng leadership, especially ‘yung chair ng [House committee on] ethics, kung ano pa ‘yung pwedeng gawin, para matiyak natin na makauwi si Congressman Zaldy Co,” Dy told reporters in his first press conference as the House’s top leader.

(The leadership will discuss with the House ethics committee the steps we will take to ensure that Congressman Co will return home.)

The House ethics panel is headed by 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos, who belongs to the House minority bloc. 

Dy earlier revoked the travel authority issued to Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines within 10 days upon receiving the September 18 notice. –NB, GMA Integrated News