Zaldy Co: I received no funds from DPWH flood control projects

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co on Friday denied allegations that he received billions worth of payoffs from the government’s flood control projects, saying he will return to the Philippines to clear his name over baseless allegations.

Co made the assertions in his letter addressed to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III received by the Speaker’s office on Thursday, September 25.

“I am saddened that my colleagues in the House of Representatives would deprive me of the time needed for medical care that I have long previously scheduled and gravely concerned that the decision to revoke my travel clearance was borne by pressure, rather than adherence to facts and procedure,” he said.

“I have every intention of returning to the Philippines. I am also intent on belying the false claims made against me before the proper forum.  I received no funds in connection with DPWH projects,” he added.

Co, however, said he is fearing for his and his family’s safety since he was already prejudged in the flood control mess.

The prejudgement, Co said, was clear when his travel clearance was revoked without the Speaker asking for his side of the issue.

“I am very much apprehensive about what awaits me should I return to the Philippines given that the public and your good office have prejudged me. This is evident from, among others, the revocation of my approved travel clearance without even first requesting for an explanation from my side,” he said.

The Speaker revoked Co’s travel clearance last September 18 and ordered the lawmaker to return to the Philippines by September 29.

“Among other reasons, the false, baseless, and politically-charged statements recently made before the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives, and the media have condemned me in the court of public opinion and have stirred public hatred against my family and me. This has caused the public to condemn and prejudge me even though no complaint before the proper fora,” Co pointed out.

There has been no criminal or administrative case filed against Co thus far, except for an ethics complaint filed by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco over the former’s alleged involvement in the flood control racketeering mess.

Just two days ago, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze Co and his family’s P4.3 billions worth of air assets amid government crackdown on supposed ill-gotten assets of personalities linked to the flood control projects mess.

“The insinuation that I, on my own, I had made insertion  in the entries in the Bicameral Report and the 2025 General Appropriations Act are untrue since the Bicaneral Report and 2025 GAA were approved by both Houses of Congress at Plenary sessions and following the collegial process,” Co said.

Likewise, he denied the allegation made by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu, Jr. that he forced the Agriculture chief to issue fish import permits to Co’s ZC Victory Fishing Corporation.

“I made no such request and have nothing to do with this company. Upon verification, the "ZC stands for "Zamboanga City," not "Zaldy Co",” Co said.

In closing, the lawmaker appealed to Dy to ensure his safe return to the country.

“I hope that, when I return to the Philippines, I will be afforded due process and that you would ensure the safety of my family and me,” Co added.

In response, the Speaker assured Co that he will be safe upon his return and will be given a fair shake. 

"Let me assure you that, should you choose to return home, the House will coordinate with the proper authorities to secure your safety and that of your family," Dy said.

"Allow me to emphasize that the revocation of your travel clearance should not be construed as prejudgment, but as a necessary opportunity to answer the allegations against you directly and in the proper forum. Aside from the issues that have been raised against you, you also face a complaint that is now with the House Committee on Ethics. Coming home will allow you to respond to this complaint, as well as to fully present and elaborate on the defenses you outlined in your letter," he added. 

Dy then reiterated that Co must return to the country by September 29. 

"We reiterate that the only proper way to address these matters is not through correspondence from abroad, but by returning, appearing at the proper forum, and answering the charges directly. You have until Monday, September 29, 2025 to comply with our directive," the Speaker said.

"As we stressed in our September 18, 2025 communication to you, failure to comply shall be construed as a refusal to subject yourself to the lawful processes of the House and will result in the initiation of appropriate disciplinary and legal actions," he added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News