Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is planning to summon former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Lacson said he intends to present Co alongside Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta’s “surprise witness,” Orly Guteza, as well as 18 former Marines, in order to verify conflicting testimonies and trace the flow of funds tied to the controversy.
According to the veteran lawmaker, the move aims to shed light on allegations involving billions of pesos in kickbacks and the possible involvement of high-ranking officials.
“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” Lacson stated.
The development follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement on April 16 that Co’s time in hiding had ended after his arrest in the Czech Republic.
Co is currently under the custody of Czech authorities and faces graft and malversation charges in the Philippines in connection with the multi-billion peso flood control scandal.