House Majority Leader urges Rep. Zaldy Co to return to PH amid corruption allegations

House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos urged Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines to face allegations of involvement in anomalous flood control projects and pressuring officials for import permits.

Co is accused by contractors of demanding a 25% commission on flood control projects and by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. of pressuring him to issue import permits for his fishing business.

Co, who previously chaired the House Appropriations Committee, secured significant flood control contracts worth P10 billion and P4.6 billion respectively through his companies.

While Co is reportedly in the United States for medical treatment, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, during his term as Speaker, had tried to convince Co to return within a one- to two-week period, which did not happen.

Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco plans to recommend verifying the severity of Co's medical condition and suggested that an ethics complaint might be filed if he refuses to return after his travel authority expires.

Tiangco believes proactive measures are needed to restore public trust in the House, stating that failure to bring Co back could lead to the perception that he is being protected.