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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICI confirms invitation to Zaldy Co, but no reply; body to resend summons

ICI confirms invitation to Zaldy Co, but no reply; body to resend summons

Published Oct 2, 2025 01:39 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has confirmed sending an invite to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in its ongoing probe into anomalous flood control projects, but he has not responded yet.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has confirmed sending an invite to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in its ongoing probe into anomalous flood control projects, but he has not responded yet.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said Thursday, Oct. 2, that the Palace-commissioned body will resend its invitation to Co, as well as to former House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Martin Romualdez so they may shed light on the alleged billion-peso corruption scandal.
Co was the chairperson of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations that oversaw the passage of the yearly national budget.
He is also accused of being the proponent of several "ghost" infrastructure projects wherein he allegedly received billions worth of kickbacks.
"The subpoena or what we call an invitation for incumbent legislators will probably... wala pang (there's still no) go signal from the commission to resend this again," Hosaka told reporters, referring to the first set of subpoenas issued both to Co and Romualdez.
"But definitely it will be sent out," he added.
Hosaka acknowledged that Co wasn't even in the country at all. "So he will not be able to attend the heating despite the invitation."
He also said "so far, nothing" can be done to demand Co's as well as Romualdez' presence in the hearing. This came although the body was commissioned by President Marcos himself through Executive Order (EO) No. 94.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima had previously pointed out some of the loopholes in Marcos' EO, including the ICI's lack of power to cite individuals for contempt if they snub the invitations or subpoenas.
ICI began its investigation on Sept. 19. The body will resume its trial on Oct. 7. It earlier announced that its trials would be conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday.






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