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Advocates Philippines
Navotas City's Toby Tiangco Files Ethics Complaint Against Ako Bicol's Zaldy Co
FILE
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A formal ethics complaint has been filed against Ako Bicol Party List Representative Zaldy Co by Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco. The complaint, addressed to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges, alleges violations of several key legal and ethical standards.
Basis for the Complaint
Tiangco's complaint is based on three main points, citing alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), and House Rules. The lawmaker’s letter states that Representative Co failed in his duty as a public officer, which is considered a public trust, especially in his former role as Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations. The complaint also alleges that Co’s conduct falls short of the standards required for public officials, particularly concerning his absences and alleged actions related to the national budget.
Key Allegations
The complaint outlines several specific allegations against Representative Co:
The complaint claims that Co was responsible for last-minute insertions and realignments in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, which were allegedly diverted to unprogrammed appropriations without proper transparency or justification.
The document notes that Co has been largely absent from the 20th Congress. The complaint highlights that no official medical certificates have been submitted to justify his prolonged absence, leaving it unsubstantiated.
Tiangco's complaint includes data from a report by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which states that Sunwest Inc. and its joint ventures were awarded government infrastructure contracts worth over ₱86 billion between 2016 and 2025. The complaint states that nearly half of this amount went to projects in Bicol, where Co's family has deep political roots. This raises the question of whether Co acquired a personal pecuniary interest while in office.
In a recent development, Tiangco appeared before the House’s Integrity Committee and said that a key missing piece of evidence had been found. He cited the recent testimony of former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara, who allegedly provided the missing link between the budget insertions and kickbacks.
"What's most important today is the connection between the insertion and the kickback," Tiangco said, explaining that it was difficult to prove this before. He noted that Alcantara's testimony confirmed that when projects were inserted during the bicameral conference, lawmakers would receive a kickback of 20 to 25 percent. "At least DE Henry Alcantara has now connected the insertion and the kickback's impact."
Call for Sanctions
The complaint concludes with a prayer for the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to impose corresponding penalties/sanctions on Representative Co for his alleged actions. Tiangco argues that Co's continued silence on these issues betrays public trust and undermines the reputation of the institution.
Basis for the Complaint
Tiangco's complaint is based on three main points, citing alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), and House Rules. The lawmaker’s letter states that Representative Co failed in his duty as a public officer, which is considered a public trust, especially in his former role as Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations. The complaint also alleges that Co’s conduct falls short of the standards required for public officials, particularly concerning his absences and alleged actions related to the national budget.
Key Allegations
The complaint outlines several specific allegations against Representative Co:
The complaint claims that Co was responsible for last-minute insertions and realignments in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, which were allegedly diverted to unprogrammed appropriations without proper transparency or justification.
The document notes that Co has been largely absent from the 20th Congress. The complaint highlights that no official medical certificates have been submitted to justify his prolonged absence, leaving it unsubstantiated.
Tiangco's complaint includes data from a report by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which states that Sunwest Inc. and its joint ventures were awarded government infrastructure contracts worth over ₱86 billion between 2016 and 2025. The complaint states that nearly half of this amount went to projects in Bicol, where Co's family has deep political roots. This raises the question of whether Co acquired a personal pecuniary interest while in office.
In a recent development, Tiangco appeared before the House’s Integrity Committee and said that a key missing piece of evidence had been found. He cited the recent testimony of former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara, who allegedly provided the missing link between the budget insertions and kickbacks.
"What's most important today is the connection between the insertion and the kickback," Tiangco said, explaining that it was difficult to prove this before. He noted that Alcantara's testimony confirmed that when projects were inserted during the bicameral conference, lawmakers would receive a kickback of 20 to 25 percent. "At least DE Henry Alcantara has now connected the insertion and the kickback's impact."
Call for Sanctions
The complaint concludes with a prayer for the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to impose corresponding penalties/sanctions on Representative Co for his alleged actions. Tiangco argues that Co's continued silence on these issues betrays public trust and undermines the reputation of the institution.
Sep 23, 2025
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