House Panel’s Stance on Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co
The chair of the House infrastructure committee has announced plans to invite Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co to the panel’s inquiry should his name arise in connection with the flood control projects investigation. This move signals the committee’s intent to include all relevant parties in their probe.
However, the panel lead chair, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, clarified that any investigation into the alleged anomalous budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, when Co served as appropriations chair during the 19th Congress, should be handled by a different body. He emphasized that the tri-committee’s focus remains on flood control projects, not budget insertions.
Tri-Committee’s Focus on Flood Control Projects
The tri-committee, composed of the public accounts, good government and accountability, and public works panels, was established primarily to investigate anomalous, substandard, or ghost flood control projects implemented under the Marcos administration. Their mandate is specific and does not extend to budget insertion allegations.
Ridon stated on Wednesday, “If Congressman Co or whoever person, House member, is linked to an anomalous contract, transaction or project, they may be invited. This is consistent with what we have stated previously. If they are named, they would be invited to respond, and immediately after, we will recuse and send it to the independent commission.”
Background on Rep. Elizaldy Co and His Business Interests
Before entering Congress, Co founded Sunwest Inc., now one of the top 15 contractors for flood control projects in the Philippines, with 79 projects valued at a total of P10 billion. This background adds context to his potential involvement in the ongoing inquiry.
Dispute Over Budget Insertion Investigations
Despite calls from some lawmakers, Ridon emphasized that the infrastructure committee is not the proper venue to interrogate Co on the alleged budget insertions. Representatives Toby Tiangco of Navotas and Isidro Ungab of Davao, who insisted on summoning Co during the initial hearing, were met with resistance.
Tiangco, Ungab, and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice pushed for Co and former Senate finance committee chair Grace Poe to explain how billions were inserted into the 2025 national budget during bicameral conference committee deliberations. Poe and Co led their respective chambers’ contingents in those discussions last year.
The hearing began with tension, as Ungab declared the 2025 budget “the most corrupt in history,” while Tiangco vocally asserted his right to speak over Deputy Speaker Janette Garin.
Allegations of Significant Budget Allocations
Tiangco later told reporters that he has evidence showing party-lists affiliated with Co received over P4 billion in allocations from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He cited P2.23 billion for Ako Bicol, P2.06 billion for Barangay Health Workers party-list—headed by Co’s niece, former Rep. Natasha Co—and P13 billion under Zaldy Co himself.
Officials have been seeking comments from the Co family since the allegations surfaced on Tuesday.
Committee Chair’s Recommendation for Proper Forum
Ridon argued that issues concerning budget insertions should be addressed elsewhere. “They can bring it to the committee on appropriations since we’re talking about budget amendments and budget insertions,” he explained.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers, including Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, believe the probe can only proceed by examining individual project insertions and investigating what transpired during the bicameral conference level.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
