Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co cannot evade accountability despite his resignation from the House of Representatives.
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Co’s resignation does not exempt him from possible charges.
“Sa pangyayari pong iyan, kung nag-resign po siya, iyan naman po ay kaniyang kagustuhan. Walang makakapigil sa kaniyang mga desisyon ngunit kung magkakaroon man siya ng kaso at maisasampa, hindi po niya ito maiiwasan, hindi niya po ito matatakbuhan,” Castro said on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
[Translation: In that case, if he resigned, that is his choice. No one can stop him from making that decision, but if cases are filed, he cannot avoid them, he cannot run from them.]
She added that it would be better for Co to defend himself if legal action is pursued.
“Mas maganda po rito kung siya man po ay masasampahan ng kaso, ipaglaban na lang niya ang kaniyang karapatan at ipaglaban ang katotohanan na naaayon sa kaniyang mga ebidensiya,” Castro said.
[Trabslation:It would be better if, should he face charges, he fights for his rights and defends the truth with his evidence.]
When asked about Co’s role in the ongoing investigations on alleged flood control anomalies, Castro said he should directly address the allegations.
“Kung nababanggit ang kaniyang pangalan, definitely dapat niya po itong sagutin dahil kung hindi niya po ‘to masasagot at iiwasan niya, lalabas lamang po siyang guilty,” she said.
[Translation: If his name is being mentioned, then he definitely needs to answer it. If he does not respond and avoids it, he will only appear guilty.]
She alsosaid Co’s resignation was not discussed during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Bojie Dy.
Co announced his resignation weeks after he was tagged as among the alleged masterminds in a kickback scheme involving flood control projects.
In a letter to Dy, Co said he was “constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives.”
