House loses jurisdiction over ethics raps vs. Zaldy

After Rep. Elizaldy Co resigned, the House lost its jurisdiction over the ethics complaint filed against him, House Speaker Bojie Dy confirmed on Monday, September 29.

- Dominique Nicole Flores/Philstar.com

Rep. Elizaldy Co speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the ALECO Cullat Substation in February 2025. REP. ELIZALDY CO VIA FACEBOOK

"Since nag-resign na si Congressman Zaldy Co, wala nang ika nga karapatan ang Kongreso para maimbitahan siya at maanyayahan para umattend sa committee on ethics," Dy said in a press conference on September 29. (Since Congressman Zaldy Co has already resigned, Congress no longer has the authority, so to speak, to summon or invite him to attend the committee on ethics.)

Rep. Toby Tiangco, who filed the ethics complaint, alleged that Co manipulated the 2025 budget as appropriations chair, flaunted his wealth and violated conflict-of-interest rules through ties to top contractor Sunwest Inc.

Dy and ethics committee chair Rep. JC Abalos (4Ps Party-list) explained that the House could only hold accountable its own members in ethics complaints filed.