Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, an ally of the administration and among the architects of the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), stepped down as chairperson of the House committee on appropriations on Monday, citing health concerns. 

Co made the announcement shortly after House Speaker Martin Romualdez approved a motion by Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos to declare the position vacant.

The Bicolano solon explained that relinquishing the chairmanship post was never an easy decision, but healthcare must come first. He, however, did not explicitly disclose his medical condition.

“This decision, made with a heavy heart, is driven by pressing health concerns. The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being,” said Co, adding that he has always served at the pleasure of the majority.

Co led the powerful appropriations panel, in charge of overseeing and scrutinizing the annual budget of the government, for nearly three years. He was the chairman since July 2022.

“In the past three years, I take pride in our collective accomplishments, particularly the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, which provide[s] critical support to those with income insufficient for their family needs. As the proud sponsor and shepherd of the budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025, I ensured alignment with the President’s eight-point economic agenda,” he averred.

“Notably, securing funding for legacy initiatives in health, housing, and food security — particularly legacy hospitals and contract farming — will remain highlights of my service,” the lawmaker added.

AKAP controversy

The AKAP program, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), was the brainchild of Romualdez and Co. 

Recently, the project drew scathing criticism from various groups, former lawmakers, and key government officials, who viewed AKAP as a potential new face of the infamous pork barrel. 

The AKAP was allotted a whooping P26.7 billion in the 2024 budget and another P26 billion this year. Critics have expressed concern that lawmakers might exploit the distribution of the funds especially with the upcoming mid-term elections, citing their presence during the dole-out in the communities and provinces.

Co, however, asserted that the program is corruption-free and that congressmen have nothing to do with the safekeeping, contending that it is the DSWD that has the sole control of the allocation. 

AKAP provides one-time cash assistance ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 to “near-poor” minimum wage earners or those with incomes that fall below the poverty threshold and are not covered by other government aid programs. 

According to the DSWD, around five million beneficiaries got help through the AKAP from January to December last year.

In September last year, Vice President Sara Duterte accused Romualdez and Co of having the sole “control” of the national budget. She also alleged that the two House leaders "meddled” with the budget of the Department of Education during her tenure as its secretary. 

Romualdez and Co denied the allegations, asserting that the VP was merely diverting the issue she has been confronting concerning her multi-million confidential funds.

The VP’s accusations against the two congressmen resulted in a P1.3 billion cut to her office’s P2.03 billion proposed allocation for fiscal year 2025, leaving it with only P733 million.