Solon urges NBI, agencies to refrain from granting Zaldy Co accountability clearance

Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Elijah San Fernando on Tuesday filed House Resolution 435, urging the House of Representatives, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other concerned agencies to refrain from granting accountability clearance and other government documents to Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.

Co, a former Ako Bicol Party-list representative, is under investigation after his company, Sunwest Construction, was linked to alleged flood control project anomalies in Oriental Mindoro. He is among those recommended for further inquiry by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) after the transfer of its documents to the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to reports, the former lawmaker has been outside the country since late August. The resolution cited that on 18 September, newly installed House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III revoked Co’s travel clearance and directed him to return to the Philippines within 10 days.

Despite the directive, “Zaldy Co has persistently refused to return to the country,” the resolution said, noting that his continued absence may be perceived as an attempt to evade accountability and disregard lawful congressional and investigative processes.

“Granting him any form of accountability or integrity clearance while these alleged violations are under investigation would constitute a clear breach of such mandate, undermine the integrity of interdisciplinary processes, and erode public confidence in the institution’s commitment to accountability and ethical governance,” the resolution read.

The document also stressed that the NBI cannot issue clearance to an individual without physical presence and biometric verification. While clearance applications may be processed through a Special Power of Attorney in some cases, the resolution emphasized that this cannot apply to an applicant who is “willfully evading law and investigation.”

Rep. San Fernando said government employees who brought the issue to his attention only wished to protect the integrity of the institution.

“What worries them is that they will be caught in the middle regarding the issue of the flood control anomaly, which should be centered on the main people involved, such as former Rep. Zaldy Co. The employees' only desire is to protect the integrity of the institution (House of Representatives) and its workers who faithfully perform their jobs and fulfill their duties,” he said.

“Any form of clearance given to public officials involved in any anomaly or scandal, according to them, is an insult to the institution and a disservice to the plight of government workers who are sincerely performing their duties,” he added.