Philippine Lawmaker Zaldy Co Resigns Abruptly Amid Budget Scandal and Legal Pressure

A prominent Philippine congressman has abruptly resigned as investigations intensify over alleged budget irregularities and corruption in major infrastructure projects.

Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who represented the Ako Bicol Party-list in the House of Representatives, announced Monday that he is stepping down from his post effective immediately, citing threats to his family’s safety and what he described as a denial of his right to due process.

“Though it weighs heavily on my heart, I tender my resignation as Representative,” Co said in a statement. “This decision was carefully weighed for the good of my family and the people I continue to serve.”

The resignation letter was addressed to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who confirmed receiving it. Co also indicated that his political group will soon nominate a replacement to fill his congressional seat.

Facing a Major Ethics Complaint

Co’s resignation comes as he faces a formal ethics complaint filed by fellow lawmaker Tobias “Toby” Tiangco, accusing him of orchestrating billions of pesos (tens of millions of dollars) in last-minute budget insertions into the Philippines’ 2025 national spending plan.

Tiangco claims that as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Co “masterminded, tolerated, and deliberately allowed” questionable realignments of funds to benefit favored projects, some of which allegedly bypassed priority programs and diverted foreign-assisted projects to less transparent budget categories.

Co has strongly denied the allegations.

“It is improbable, if not absolutely impossible, that I alone could make any supposed ‘insertions’ without the knowledge or approval of both chambers,” he said. He emphasized that all items were approved through plenary and bicameral proceedings and later signed into law by the President after a full review.

The budget law is currently under review by the Philippine Supreme Court and the Office of the Ombudsman, the country’s anti-corruption body.

Legal Pressure Mounts

With Co out of Congress, House Speaker Dy said the investigation will now likely be taken over by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a special body formed to examine irregularities in public works projects.

“He really needs to return and be held accountable for these issues,” Dy told reporters.

Dy also revealed that Co’s travel clearance had been revoked, noting that while the congressman cited “personal leave,” he did not provide medical documentation despite claiming health reasons for not returning to the country.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said authorities are not expecting Co to return voluntarily. The DOJ has requested an Interpol Blue Notice, which allows international law enforcement agencies to collect information on a person’s whereabouts. While officials believe they know his location, there is no arrest warrant yet.

Linked to Flood Control Project Scandal

Co has also been implicated in the failed flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, a multimillion-dollar public works initiative that is now at the center of corruption probes. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has formally recommended that charges be filed against him.