Speaker Dy revokes Zaldy Co's travel clearance, orders his immediate return
At A Glance
- House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III has formally revoked the travel clearance of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines within 10 days.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has formally revoked the travel clearance of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines within 10 days.
The new House leader has stressed that Co's "immediate presence is required".
In a letter dated Sept. 18, 2025, Speaker Dy informed Co that "your existing travel clearance for your personal trip is hereby revoked effective immediately".
"This revocation is issued in the paramount interest of the public and due to the existence of pressing national matters requiring your physical presence,” it added.
The Speaker from Isabela 6th district said that “In the exigency of service, you are hereby directed to return to the Philippines within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of this notice."
"Your immediate return is necessary to address the aforementioned matters with urgency," he added.
Speaker Dy told Co that his immediate and strict compliance is expected, and that "failure to comply with this directive within the prescribed period shall be construed as a refusal to subject yourself to the lawful processes of the House of Representatives and may result in the initiation of appropriate disciplinary and legal actions".
Co was the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the previous 19th Congress. The national budget during the final year of the 19th Congress--the P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA)--was allegedly rife with "insertions".
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. told reporters last week that Co had a heart ailment and was receiving treatment in the United States (US).
Dy took over the reins from Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who resigned as Speaker during plenary session last Wednesday.