Progressives say Zaldy Co should tell all on government corruption

The pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice should not stop with Co. His co-perpetrators in Congress and Malacañang should also be investigated and prosecuted.

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Following the reported arrest of former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co in the Czech Republic, Makabayan lawmakers stressed that Co should be prosecuted and prove his earlier revelations on government corruption.

“His return must not be reduced to a media spectacle or a convenient ending; it must be the beginning of a full public reckoning over the flood control scam and the broader system of corruption in public works and budgeting,” said party-list representatives Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Sarah Jane Elago of Gabriela Women’s Party, and Renee Co of Kabataan in a joint statement.

Multisectoral alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) demanded the immediate prosecution of Co and all government officials implicated in the Philippine flood control scandal.

“The pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice should not stop with Co. His co-perpetrators in Congress and Malacañang should also be investigated and prosecuted,” Bayan said in a statement.

In a video statement released in November last year, Co claimed that there were instructions given by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to insert P100 billion worth of projects during the bicameral conference for the 2025 budget. 

He allegedly received the order through former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and was allegedly able to confirm it to former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin. Co also allegedly relayed the order to Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Moreover, Co affirmed the alleged delivery of suitcases full of cash by his former security consultant, Orly Guteza, to Marcos Jr. and Romualdez.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson called Co’s video statement lacking “probative value.”

With his arrest, Makabayan lawmakers said it leads the way for Co to testify and prove his revelations under oath, pointing out that these should not be shrugged off considering the amount of public funds. “Co should not be the only one to take responsibility if the system itself runs on corruption.”

Last month, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) reportedly turned over its investigations into anomalous flood control projects to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for review. The same report was also submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Media reports said that once the DOJ finds sufficient bases, the documents will be referred to law enforcement agencies for their own investigation and for the eventual filing of cases. (RVO)

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