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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ako Bicol has moved on: Zaldy Co's replacement 'excited' to begin work as congressman

Ako Bicol has moved on: Zaldy Co's replacement 'excited' to begin work as congressman

Published Nov 13, 2025 01:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Zaldy Co's replacement nominee in Ako Bicol Party-list, lawyer Jan Almario Chan, is raring to perform his duties as a member of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress.
Ako Bicol Party-list nominee Jan Almario Chan (left), Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Ako Bicol Party-list nominee Jan Almario Chan (left), Zaldy Co (Facebook)


Zaldy Co's replacement nominee in Ako Bicol Party-list, lawyer Jan Almario Chan, is raring to perform his duties as a member of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress.
“Unang una, very excited tayo to serve in Congress, lalo na medyo unexpected naman yung nangyari na to (First of all, we’re very excited to serve in Congress, especially since what happened was quite unexpected)," Chan said, referring to Co's recent resignation as Ako Bicol Party-list representative.
"Pero priority natin sa ngayon is to continue what Ako Bicol has been doing regarding public service and of course yung mga tulong natin (But our priority right now is to continue what Ako Bicol has been doing in terms of public service and, of course, the assistance we provide)," the lawyer noted.
Although the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed Chan, he has yet to take his oath in plenary session at the House of Representatives.
The plenary will convene again on Monday, Nov. 17.
Chan vowed to continue the public service legacy of Ako Bicol and to introduce measures focused on renewable energy, mental health, and disaster resilience once he assumes office in Congress.
He also says he intends to bring his expertise in renewable energy, the environment, and his decade-long experience in policymaking and legislative assistance to his new role in congress.
“Hopefully, maprove ko po that in the next 2.5 years, maganda po yung maibibigay natin sa ating mga kababayan (Hopefully I can prove my worth in the next 2.5 years, and I can give a good showing to our countrymen)," Chan said.
Co resigned as Ako Bicol Party-list congressman last Sept. 29 following his involvement in the flood control projects corruption scandal. A former chairman of the powerful Committee on Appropriations, his name has also been linked to "insertions" in the 2025 national budget.
Co is currently abroad, with his exact whereabouts unknown. He has denied all the allegations against him.
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