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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICI demands Zaldy Co's appearance, says court may be tapped to cite him for contempt

ICI demands Zaldy Co's appearance, says court may be tapped to cite him for contempt

Published Oct 8, 2025 02:38 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has issued a subpoena against former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co to demand his appearance in its ongoing investigation on the anomalous flood control projects.
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has issued a subpoena against former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co to demand his appearance in its ongoing investigation on the anomalous flood control projects.
In a subpoena duces tecum and ad testificandum sent to Co's party-list, ICI required the beleaguered former lawmaker--who owned the Sunwest construction firm that bagged billions of infrastructure projects--to appear before the commission and bring with him the following:
  • contracts, records and reports related to any government projects, project proposals, feasibility studies and master plans for flood control projects that he and his family's corporation has beneficial interests
  • accounting forms and documents that are relevant to the mentioned contract, records and reports, and
  • incorporation and registration documents, such as certificate of business registration, latest general information sheet, latest financial statement, among others
Co was told to attend the hearing at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14.
ICI said the subpoena was made in the interest of national issues relating to reports and allegations of irregularities, misuse of public funds and possible corruption in government infrastructure projects, as well as to the effective implementation of government flood control and related projects.
ICI had previously sent an invitation to Co when he was still a congressman, but he snubbed it as he was reportedly abroad. He resigned from his House seat last Sept. 29.
This time, ICI issued him a subpoena, which is a stronger-worded summon. The body's executive director, Brian Hosaka, warned of possible legal repercussions should Co shrug off the invitation again.
He said the body might seek assistance from a regional trial court (RTC) to cite him in contempt.
"The power or the authority of ICI is to issue subpoena. With regard to contempt powers, we have to follow proper procedures, which is going to courts and probably petition in their contempt," Hosaka told reporters.
Meanwhile, ICI also sent an invitation for former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez as well as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to attend the same hearing.
Romualdez, alleged to have received kickbacks from the anomalous flood control projects like Co, was also sent an invitation, and not a subpoena, because he is still a sitting congressman, according to Hosaka.
His appearance was sought due to his "familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the national budget insertions as well as the DPWH flood control projects".
ICI invited Pangandaman to give her authoritative guidance on matters about the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), more particularly those line projects linked to ghost or substandard projects as well as proposals and requests made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to be included in the NEP.
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