Zaldy Co won’t respond to flood control scandal complaint - counsel

Metro Manila, Philippines - Resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co will not file a counter-affidavit to explain his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal despite an ombudsman order, his legal counsel said on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Ombudsman personnel delivered an order to file a counter-affidavit to Co’s addresses for him to lay out his arguments, but the persons there refused to receive the document last week.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the order is deemed received.

Ruy Rondain, Co’s counsel, said the ombudsman has prejudged the allegations against the former lawmaker.

“I don’t know what he’s supposed to answer,” Rondain said in a press briefing.

“My thinking is the ombudsman has already prejudged this case and this is bolstered by the statements of [Public Works] Secretary Vince Dizon who said 60 people will be in jail by Christmas. Under these circumstances, there’s really no tactical benefit to filing a counter-affidavit,” he added.

Clavano earlier explained that if Co fails to submit his counter-affidavit, he would waive his right to defend himself.

The former party-list first nominee co-founded Sunwest, one of the top flood control contractors in the country. He said he divested from the company when he was elected as congressman in 2019, but reports state he is still a beneficial owner.

Co, former House appropriations panel chairman, was also accused of inserting billions of pesos in projects in the closed-door bicameral conference committee, which he denied.