Ako Bicol to submit to Comelec Zaldy Co's resignation letter —Garbin

The Ako Bicol Party-list will submit to the Commission on Elections this week the resignation letter of its first nominee Elizaldy Co to pave the way for the proclamation of Co's replacement. 

This was disclosed by Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Tuesday.

"Ang proseso ay (The process is) we need to submit the resignation letter of Cong. Zaldy as an irrevocable resignation letter. And we need also to come up with a resolution from the party itself to submit the names that will replace Cong. Zaldy Co," Garbin said in an interview.

Garbin said the party-list's third nominee Atty. Jan Almario Chan will replace Co.

READ: Who will replace Zaldy Co as Ako Bicol party-list representative?

Afterwards, Garbin stated that the Comelec will issue a Certificate of Proclamation which will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives.

Co on Monday resigned as a member of the House of Representatives amid allegations of massive corruption in connection with flood control projects and insertions in the national budget, accusations that he has repeatedly denied while abroad.

PCFI

Garbin stated that Co's resignation left the leadership of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc (PCFI) where Co was president.

 "By next week, I think the PCFI members scheduled a election of new officers by next week. 'Yun po ang aking pagkakaalam (That's what I know)," Garbin said.

Services

Co's resignation also affected the services rendered by Ako Bicol Party-list to the public.

"Affected po and that's why I'm talking to different agencies and especially to the House leadership na kung pwede, maipagpatuloy pa rin namin (that if possible, we would continue the services). Though it's public funds but as you know, when we initiated the same, that is for the benefit of the many and for public good," Garbin said.

"'Yon naman ang trabaho ng mga kongresista at senador eh, mag-initiate ng pondo para maitulong sa taumbayan. And 'yung mga social services na ngayon nakatengga, pinapakiusapan namin na kung puwede maituloy dahil ito direkta naman," he explained.

(That is the job of congressmen and senators, to initiate funding to be used to help the public. And the social services that were temporarily stopped now, we are asking if we can continue that since these are directly extended to the people.)

"Like for example, medical assistance to indigent patients or those who are availing of the Individual in Crisis Situation. Sa DSWD 'yon po 'yung mga nakatengga sa amin (That's for the DSWD but our endorsements are pending)," he added.

"But this one, these programs, social services, ito po 'yung direkta sa mga nangangailangan and sinusuri ng mga social worker bago mabigyan ng ayuda. So hindi to dumadaan po sa mga kongresista. Ito'y purely goes and directly to the entitled beneficiaries,"Garbin explained.

(But this one, these programs, social services, are directly given to those in need and checked by social workers before they are given assistance. So the funds do not go through congressmen. These purely goes directly to the entitled beneficiaries.)

Support for Co

Garbin also said Ako Bicol Party-list continues to support Co.

"Ang Ako Bicol Party-list stands united behind him. Lalong-lalo nito sa (Especially so during) in this most difficult time. And we call on the public to give Cong. Zaldy Co the due process which he is entitled to as lahat ng allegations sa kanya (despite all the allegations against him)," he said.

When asked how Co can be afforded due process when he is not in the Philippines, Garbin replied, "Sabi niya (He said), in due time, he will return and answer all the allegations. Remember, there are no pending cases yet. And sa ngayon, lahat lang imbestigasyon (And now, all are just investigations) and those are just accusations that has to be proven yet in the courts of law or in any quasi-judicial bodies," Garbin said.

"He's entitled to this presumption of innocence," Garbin added. —KG, GMA Integrated News