Metro Manila, Philippines – House Speaker Bojie Dy said the arrest of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co is a step forward for justice, while some minority lawmakers believe that the recent developments would shed light on the allegations against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the flood control mess.
In a statement on Friday, April 17, Dy said Co’s arrest “sends a clear message that those who attempt to evade the law will be held to account.”
“Malinaw na mula pa sa kanyang SONA (State of the Nation Address), sinabi na ng Pangulo na walang puwang ang katiwalian sa kanyang pamumuno. That accountability must apply to everyone, especially those entrusted with public funds,” he said.
[Translation: It’s clear that as early as his SONA (State of the Nation Address), the President already stated that there is no place for corruption in his leadership. That accountability must apply to everyone, especially those entrusted with public funds.]
On Thursday, April 16, Marcos confirmed Co’s arrest in Prague, Czech Republic after he supposedly tried to enter the country without proper documentation. The former lawmaker was in hiding for nine months.
In November 2025, the anti-graft court issued an arrest warrant against him for graft and a non-bailable malversation case, in relation to a substandard project in Oriental Mindoro contracted by a company supposedly linked to him.
Testifying vs. Marcos
In a statement, the Makabayan bloc said Co’s pending return to the country would open doors for him to testify under oath against the president, whom he tagged in the alleged budget insertions.
The former lawmaker earlier released a video statement, accusing Marcos of ordering a ₱100 billion insertion in the 2025 budget.
“These are allegations that cannot be brushed aside as mere noise, especially given the scale of public funds involved and the widespread damage caused by substandard or nonexistent flood control projects,” the group said.
“Dapat managot ang lahat ng nakinabang—kahit gaano kataas ang kanilang puwesto. Dapat managot lahat ng sangkot, simula sa pinakatuktok,” they added.
[Translation: Everyone who benefited must be held accountable—no matter how high their position. All those involved must be held responsible, starting from the very top.]
Meanwhile, House senior deputy minority leader Leila De Lima called for simultaneous investigations involving Co, urging him to expose everything he knows.
“Tulad sa impeachment, hindi dapat itengga ang paghahanap ng katotohanan hanggang managot lahat ng kurakot,” she said.
[Translation: Like in an impeachment, the search for the truth should not be stalled until all the corrupt are held accountable.]
Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, who chairs the blue ribbon panel, said he plans to invite Co to the flood control probe once he returns to the country.
