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Some lawmakers believe Co should face independent commission upon return to PH
Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez resigned as House Speaker on September 17 amid criticisms over alleged involvement in the 2025 General Appropriations Act and flood control projects.
Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino "Bojie" Dy III replaced Romualdez as House Speaker.
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero had previously warned against a plot to shield Romualdez from blame in the multibillion-peso flood control scam.
Concerns about budget allocations, including P13.8 billion in projects linked to Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, arose during the bicameral conference, with some congressmen reportedly surprised by the insertions.
The Senate's blue ribbon panel found that firms linked to the Discayas secured over P207 billion worth of government projects from 2016 to 2025, with Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya admitting to bribing local officials for flood control projects.
House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III revoked the travel clearance of Zaldy Co and ordered him to come home to face allegations of insertions in the 2025 national budget.
Some lawmakers believe Co should face the Independent Commission on Infrastructure looking into alleged anomalous flood control projects upon his return to the Philippines.
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A contractor admitted to paying kickbacks ranging from 10% to 25% of project funding to Quezon City officials and DPWH employees to avoid project issues.
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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered contractors of "ghost" and substandard flood control projects to finish the works at their own expense, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) seeking to freeze assets and recover costs.
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ICC prosecutors have formally charged former president Rodrigo Duterte with murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity, alleging he was an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the drug war killings.
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House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos urged Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines to face allegations of corruption in flood control projects and pressuring the Agriculture Secretary.
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Isabela Representative Faustino "Bojie" Dy III was elected as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives with 253 votes following the resignation of Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
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