Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co expressed concern over the credibility of the independent commission set to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control projects, citing potential bias if Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is included as a member.
Co, who previously chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, defended himself and "deny any wrong-doing" after Magalong publicly linked him to what the mayor described as a “highly organized syndicate” behind anomalous flood control projects.
“I was surprised to hear Mayor Benjamin Magalong mention my name to the media in connection with the flood control projects without saying what exactly I did. Again, I strongly deny any wrongdoing with respect to his vague claim,” Co said in a statement on Wednesday.
He stressed that he is prepared to respond to any accusation but only before the appropriate body once specific details are provided.
However, the lawmaker questioned the impartiality of the planned probe, saying Magalong’s early pronouncements already cast doubt on its fairness.
“It does not give me confidence that this independent body will conduct a fair and unbiased investigation given that the investigation has not started but Mayor Magalong is already giving statements to the media on the subject and my alleged involvement based on rumors and hearsay,” Co said.
Magalong, for his part, had earlier said that Co was among the key figures in the alleged scheme.
At a media forum on Wednesday afternoon, the Baguio mayor claimed that Co is one of the masterminds and would not have acted alone and suggested the possible involvement of higher-ranking officials in Congress.
“Walang kaduda-duda naman marami sa kanila involved, walang kaduda-duda ‘yan. Hirap na hirap pa silang banggitin ‘yung isa mga mastermind si Zaldy Co. For some reason hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, takot na takot,” Magalong said.
"Ibig sabihin it’s a public knowledge inside Congress, kung gaano ka-powerful ang tao na ‘yan," he added.
Magalong declined to directly confirm whether he was referring to House Speaker Martin Romualdez when asked about higher authorities who may have allowed such activities.
It can be recalled that during the third hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged flood control anomalies, embattled contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya named several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials as recipients of kickbacks from government projects awarded to their construction companies.
Curlee Discaya also claimed that a total of 30 percent commission was given to government officials, with the largest shares allegedly going to Co and Romualdez.
The controversy surrounding the alleged flood control project anomalies continues to widen, with calls for an impartial investigation to hold accountable those involved, regardless of position or influence.
