DOJ: Zaldy Co's revelations won't affect probe

The revelations made by resigned congressman Zaldy Co, tagging President Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez in the 2025 budget insertions will not affect the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation, the DOJ spokesman said yesterday.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

Raphael Niccolo Martinez said the DOJ's timeline remains unchanged, noting that it aims to complete the preliminary investigation into at least five flood control projects in Bulacan within 60 days and issue a resolution by mid-December.

"Nothing will change in the course of the investigation because we will go where the evidence reaches... If it involves Zaldy Co, or whether or not it involves him, that is entirely dependent on what evidence we have on hand," he added.

The DOJ yesterday formally opened its preliminary investigation into five flood control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bulacan first district engineering office (DEO), particularly in the municipalities of Balagtas and Pandi.

More than 20 dismissed DPWH-Bulacan first DEO officials — including former district engineer Henry Alcantara, assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez and construction section chief Jaypee Mendoza - along with several private contractors, were named as respondents.