Zaldy Co bro faces raps over Navotas seawall collapse

The construction company owned by the brother of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co will face charges over the collapse of a seawall in Navotas City during super typhoon “Uwan,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon assured Monday.

Dizon said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will take legal action against Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., owned by Christopher Co, to recover government funds and ensure accountability.

To recall, the seawall partially collapsed Sunday night, 9 November, just weeks after it was turned over, triggering severe flooding in nearby barangays.

More than 6,000 residents were forced to evacuate as seawater rushed inland, with floodwaters reportedly reaching chest-deep levels in Barangay Bagumbayan South.

“We will sue Hi-Tone Construction, not just to recover the money we will spend here, but they must be held accountable for the damaged portion of the dike in Navotas,” Dizon said.

He has inspected the damaged dike with Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco and Mayor John Rey Tiangco.

Dizon cited that the contractor has yet to repair the damage, months after the initial collapse.

Hi-Tone Construction was one of the Top 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August 2025 for cornering a combined P100 billion — or roughly 20 percent — of the P545 billion allocated for flood control projects awarded between July 2022 and May 2025.