Zaldy resigns from House

Instead of returning to the country to face allegations of corruption tied to flood control projects, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co tendered his “irrevocable resignation” from the House of Representatives yesterday — the deadline set by Speaker Faustino Dy III for him to return home.

- DELON PORCALLA

“On account of the real, direct, grave and imminent threat to the lives of my family members and me, and the evident denial of my right to due process of law, I am constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives,” Co said.

In a three-page letter, which included his defense on the complaint filed against him before the House ethics and privileges committee, Co vowed to go after his colleague, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, for the suit.

“I am reserving my right to address the sham and baseless accusations made by Tiangco at the appropriate time and before the appropriate forum,” Co said.

Ako Bicol’s second nominee Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. will take Co’s seat as first nominee of the party list. Another member of the group will assume the second seat.

Dy said Co’s resignation saved him from facing the House ethics probe and possible expulsion.

Co described the ethics suit as “baseless,” particularly allegations that he was the brains behind the billions of pesos in budget insertions made in the 2025 General Appropriations Act. He stressed that the GAA was the product of bicameral deliberations and approval.

“I did not mastermind, tolerate or allow any supposed last-minute and realignments in the 2025 GAA. All items in the 2025 GAA, including those stated in the corresponding bicameral report, were approved at plenary sessions and following the collegial process of both houses of Congress," he reiterated.

"It is improbable, if not absolutely impossible, that I, on my own, could make any supposed insertions without the knowledge or approval of the members of both chambers of Congress," Co declared.

"The 2025 GAA was eventually signed into law by the President after what we, as members of the House, understood to be a thorough scrutiny by His Excellency of each and every item to ensure that everything is in order," he added.