Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has denied allegations that he benefited from alleged kickbacks in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.

Co’s name surfaced during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 8, 2025, where contractor Pacifico Discaya said some lawmakers and DPWH officials were allegedly given “percentages” in exchange for letting projects proceed. 

Discaya testified that as much as 30 percent of project funds were demanded: 25 percent for officials and 5 percent as insertion.

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.

He added that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) was certified and approved by Congress and signed by the President, who also vetoed some provisions and withheld funds for certain projects.

“However, the validity of the 2025 GAA is currently the subject of a case before the Supreme Court and the Ombudsman. For this reason, I am unable to comment on the matter to the public but reserve my right to comment on this matter, if and when, required by the courts where this matter is pending,” Co said.

The Ako Bicol lawmaker is among several officials named in the ongoing Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies in DPWH flood control projects.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is set to continue its hearings in the coming weeks as it probes reports of “ghost projects” and questionable fund allocations linked to the multibillion-peso flood control budget.