Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (left), Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB, Facebook)

House Assistant Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre attested to the grueling work that Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co had subjected himself to during the past three years as the Committee on Appropriations chairman.

Acidre did so after the chairmanship of the appropriations panel was declared vacant by the House leadership during plenary session Monday, Jan. 13.

Co would clarify that same day that he chose to step down from the post due to "pressing health concerns".

"I was actually surprised, as surprised as many of those in the plenary this afternoon (Monday). And out of respect for congressman Zaldy Co I would take his word for it," Acidre said in a television interview.  

"I’ve seen him work so hard to get three budgets passed and making sure that the House is able to carry out its work especially now as a member of the bicam (Bicameral Conference Committee), I’ve seen it up-close," he noted. 

Co had been the appropriations panel chief since the start of the 19th Congress in July 2022. He oversaw the House passage of the national budget bills for 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

"I think it wasn’t an easy task balancing several interests, and of course, making sure that the President’s budget is passed on time, and I wouldn’t be surprised that it has taken a toll on his health," said Acidre.

The 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget is worth P6.352 trillion--the biggest in the country’s history. President Marcos signed it last Dec. 30.

As to allegations that problems with the 2025 budget measure had to do with Co losing his chairmanship, Acidre said: "If there is any issue about the budget, as we obviously have seen in the last couple of weeks then the only thing that I can surmise is it didn't make it more easy for him (Co) as it did for us members of the bicam."