Zaldy Co out of PH even before flood control mess uproar - counsel

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has been out of the Philippines even before the flood control scandal blew up, his counsel said on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The flood control mess sparked after the State of the Nation Address in July, wherein the president expressed frustration on the fate of millions of Filipinos suffering from floods after successive cyclones.

Lawyer Ruy Rondain said Co – who has been linked to the flood control anomaly – left as early as February for a medical treatment for his heart condition.

“Hindi siya tumakbo [He did not escape], let’s get that clear,” Rondain said in a briefing when asked if the former House appropriations panel chairman did not flee amid the scandal.

Rondain said he is unaware of his client’s whereabouts despite talking to him over the phone on Tuesday night.

“Last I heard, he was in Boston [in the United States] for his medical,” the lawyer said.

READ: Zaldy Co in the US for medical treatment - House spokesperson

“I’m curious personally but I can’t be curious as a lawyer because hindi [it is not] relevant and I don’t want to lie,” he added.

The lawyer said Co has a “general fear of being shot whether by a vigilante or political enemy” upon his return to the country.

Rondain said he doubted that Co would return before Nov. 14, the next scheduled inquiry of the Senate blue ribbon committee on the flood control corruption.

If the panel decides to cite Co in contempt, Senate President Tito Sotto said he will sign the order “as long as it is within the bounds of the power of the Senate.”

“I don't look at the personalities. I look at the work that has to be done by the Senate President,” Sotto said in a chance interview.

Co has been accused of inserting billions of pesos in projects in the closed-door budget deliberation of the bicameral conference committee and of receiving kickbacks from contractors.

READ: House members hit Discaya accusation on flood control mess, to file charges

He resigned as a lawmaker after House Speaker Bojie Dy ordered him to return home.

Sunwest, a firm that Co co-founded, has also been flagged for alleged anomalous infrastructure projects.

READ: 15 contractors cornered ₱100-B flood control projects - Marcos