Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co declared that he is determined to return to the Philippines to answer and disprove “false and baseless accusations” against him, stressing that he has nothing to hide and will face his critics in the proper forum.
In a September 25 letter to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Co said he was saddened by the revocation of his approved travel clearance while he was abroad for scheduled medical treatment.
“I received news of your revocation of my travel clearance with both sadness and grave concern. I am saddened that ny colleagues in the House of Representatives would deprive me of the time needed for medical care that I have long previously scheduled and gravely concerned that the decision to revoke my travel clearance was borne by pressure, rather than adherence to facts and procedure,” Co said.
“I have every intention of returning to the Philippines. I am also intent on belying the false claims made against me before the proper forum,” he added.
Co is facing allegations that he inserted provisions into the Bicameral Report and the 2025 General Appropriations Act. He flatly denied the charge.
“The insinuation that, on my own, I had made insertions is untrue,” he wrote. “The Bicameral Report and 2025 GAA were approved by both Houses at plenary sessions and followed the proper process.”
Still, the lawmaker said he is apprehensive about what awaits him upon his return, citing the wave of public opinion turned against him. “I am very much apprehensive about what awaits me should I return, given that the public and your good office have prejudged me,” Co told the Speaker.
He also rejected other accusations — including claims that his family owns an aircraft allegedly used to fly former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, that he sought fish import allocations for “ZC Victory Fishing Corporation,” and that he received Department of Public Works and Highways funds. “These are false, baseless, and politically charged,” he stressed.
He lamented that the false, baseless and politically-charged statements recently made before the Senate, the House of Representatives and media “have condemned me in the court of public opinion and have stirred public hatred against my family and me. This has caused the public to condemn and prejudge me even though no complaint before the proper fora has been filed against me. “
Despite the revocation order, Co reiterated his call for fairness and due process. “I hope that, when I return, I would be afforded due process and that you would ensure the safety of my family and me,” he said.
