Win Gatchalian: Zaldy Co's medical excuse 'outdated'

The medical records provided by former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co to the Senate blue ribbon committee as part of his excuse for his absence in the flood control hearing on Friday are “outdated,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.

During the ongoing hearing, Gatchalian made a conditional motion for the committee to issue a subpoena against Co. The motion, the senator said, depends on whether the committee will still have a subsequent hearing regarding the controversy. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, said that Co was among the personalities invited to attend the November 14 hearing. Co, however, did not show up as he "is still overseas due to medical reasons," according to his lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain. 

“Dito sa kanyang excuse letter, meron siyang medical records na sinasabi niya na hindi siya makakadalo dahil meron siyang karamdman. Pero nung tinignan ko itong pinadala niyang medical records, unang una po, this is dated January 23, 2025, so outdated na ho ‘to,” Gatchalian said.

(In his excuse letter, he provided medical records to prove that he can't attend the hearing because he is sick. But when I looked at the medical records he sent, first of all, this is dated January 23, 2025, so it's outdated.) 

“Pangalawa, I consulted our Senate doctor at unang sabi niya rin sa akin o sa team namin, outdated na rin ho itong medical records. Based sa kanyang analysis, wala ho ditong nakasulat na karamdaman na nagsasabi na hindi siya pwede hong dumating dito,” he added. 

(Second, I consulted our Senate doctor and s/he told me or our team that these medical records are outdated. Based on his/her analysis, there was nothing indicating that he has an illness which would prohibit him from coming here.) 

Gatchalian further pointed out that it was noted on Co’s medical records that the former congressman was “discharged” and was not confined in a hospital. 

He also said that Co presented documents of his appointments in Massachusetts General Hospital dated September 22, 2025. 

“Almost two months na ang nakaraan. So in order words, Mr. Chairman, hindi ho katanggap-tanggap itong excuse letter ni Mr. Zaldy Co at hindi ito, para sa akin, katanggap-tanggap na gamitin na hindi siya pwedeng dumalo dito sa ating pagdinig,” Gatchalian emphasized.

(Almost two months have now passed. So in order words, Mr. Chairman, I believe that that excuse letter from Mr. Zaldy Co is not acceptable.) 

Gatchalian then stressed that Co should be compelled to attend if ever the blue ribbon committee will hold another hearing. 

If he still refuses to do so, the senator said that a contempt order should already be issued against the former congressman.

“Same treatment, ganon din ang gagawin natin sa mga inimbita natin na hindi dumalo. Susunod, padadalhan natin sila ng subpoena,” Lacson assured. 

(It will be the same treatment for those whom we invited today but didn’t come here. We will issue a subpoena against them.) 

Co is among those implicated in the flood control mess, but he has repeatedly denied allegations against him. 

In a video released by his camp to reporters on Friday, Co accused President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and some Cabinet members of orchestrating supposed "insertions" worth P100 billion in the national budget. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News