Zaldy Co’s brother faces charges over Navotas seawall collapse

The construction company of the brother of resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co will face charges over the collapse of a seawall in Navotas City during the height of Super Typhoon Uwan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon assured.

According to Dizon, the agency will take legal action against Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., owned by Christopher Co, to recover government funds and ensure accountability from the contractor.

“Ang gagawin na lang natin, idedemanda na lang natin `yung Hi-Tone Construction dahil hindi lang niya sinira, hanggang ngayon, ilang buwan na ang nakalipas, hindi pa niya pinapagawa,” Dizon said after inspecting the damaged dike together with Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco.

“Kakasuhan natin itong Hi-Tone Construction, para hindi lang ibalik `yung perang gagastusin natin dito. Kailangang managot sila para dun sa nasirang portion ng dike dyan sa Navotas,” he added.

Weeks after it was turned over, parts of the seawall collapsed on Sunday night, November 9, during the onslaught of Uwan, triggering severe flooding in nearby barangays.

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

Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp. was among the Top 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August 2025 as having cornered a combined P100 billion—or roughly 20 percent—of the P545-billion budget for flood control projects awarded between July 2022 and May 2025.