Gatchalian: Zaldy Co's medical records already outdated
At A Glance
- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday, November 14 that the medical records provided by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee are already "outdated."
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday, November 14 that the medical records provided by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee are “outdated.”
Gatchalian pointed this out to the senators at the continuation of the blue ribbon panel’s investigation into the anomalous government flood control projects.
Co’s camp earlier submitted the medical records as part of his excuse for his absence in the flood control probe.
Moreover, the medical records submitted by Co, who is implicated in the flood control mess having been the former House appropriations committee, did not specify the ailment of the lawmaker.
“Dito sa kanyang (In his) excuse letter, meron siyang medical records na sinasabi niya na hindi siya makakadalo dahil meron siyang karamdman, (he has medical records saying he cannot attend because he is sick),” Gatchalian pointed out to the panel chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
“Pero nung tinignan ko itong pinadala niyang medical records, unang una po, this is dated January 23, 2025, so outdated na ho ‘to (But when I checked this medical records he sent, first of all, this is dated Jan. 23. 2025, so this is so outdated),” Gatchalian said.
The Senate medical team also made the same observation, the Senate Finance Committee chairman also said.
“Pangalawa (Secondly), I consulted our Senate doctor at unang sabi niya rin sa akin o sa team namin, outdated na rin ho itong medical records (and the first thing he said to me, or to our team, the medical records are outdated),” he pointed out.
“Based sa kanyang analysis, wala ho ditong nakasulat na karamdaman na nagsasabi na hindi siya pwede hong dumating dito (Based on his analysis, there is no illness listed here that says he cannot come here),” he also said.
Furthermore, Co’s medical records show that the former lawmaker was “discharged” and not confined in a hospital. But Co presented documents of his appointments in Massachusetts General Hospital dated Sept. 22, 2025.
“Almost two months na ang nakaraan (have passed). So in order words, Mr. Chairman, hindi ho katanggap-tanggap itong excuse letter ni Mr. Zaldy Co at hindi ito, para sa akin, katanggap-tanggap na gamitin na hindi siya pwedeng dumalo dito sa ating pagdinig (Mr. Zaldy Co’s excuse letter is not acceptable and for me, it cannot be used as an excuse not to attend the hearing),” Gatchalian emphasized.
To this, he urged the blue ribbon committee to compel Co to attend should there be another hearing. If he refuses to appear, Gatchalian said a contempt order should be issued immediately against the former congressman.
Lacson agreed and said that Co will be subjected to the same treatment as other invited resource persons who refused to attend.
“Same treatment, ganon din ang gagawin natin sa mga inimbita natin na hindi dumalo. Susunod, padadalhan natin sila ng subpoena (the same treatment given to those who were invited to attend but did not come. Next time, we will issue a subpoena),” Lacson assured.
Earlier, in a video released by his camp to reporters, Co accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the one behind the supposed “insertions” worth P100-billion in the national budget.
He also said the President’s cousin, former House speaker Martin Romualdez, had instructed him to stay out of the country based on the President’s orders.