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September 18, 2025 | 1:50pm
MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos took aim at Rep. Elizaldy Co following the resignation of his uncle, Martin Romualdez from the speakership, accusing him of “dragging the House in the mud” by staying silent on the alleged budget insertions.
Marcos, who earlier refrained from commenting as Co came under scrutiny over the budget, has now become one of the first top House leaders in the majority bloc to fault him for tarnishing the chamber’s reputation.
While he reportedly divested, Co co-founded Sunwest Inc. with his brother Christopher Co, who also co-founded Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp. Sunwest bagged P10 billion worth of flood control contracts, while Hi-Tone won P4.6 billion projects.
Co, however, has been missing amid all the chaos in the halls of Congress, flying to the United States to reportedly seek medical treatment, according to House spokesperson Princess Abante.
What Co’s done so far. Since the 20th Congress convened on July 28, his presence has barely been felt, with the media primarily receiving statements from his office instead.
The House of Representatives’ website, as of Thursday, shows that Co has yet to file any bills or resolutions.
Allegations. His absence and categorical denial of the accusations thrown against him, from allegedly manipulating the budget for his own personal interests, receiving kickbacks from flood control projects, to his ties with top contractors, have placed the legislature under fire.
RELATED: Zaldy Co proponent of P13.8 billion in budget insertions, says Tiangco | DA: Zaldy Co demanded fish import allocation permits for 3 firms
Bring Zaldy home, says Sandro
This is why Marcos believes Co should return to the Philippines, admitting that “some of the blame” the House has been receiving from the public is “deserved and warranted.”
“I’m going to be the first one to tell you… I think he should come home and face the allegations against him. They’re too severe and it’s dragging the House in the mud,” Marcos said on Wednesday, September 17, in an ambush interview.
His remarks also came on the heels of Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno’s claim that Co should bear responsibility for the questionable 2025 budget allocations, given his active participation in the bicameral conference committee’s small committee.
Puno, however, approached the issue in defense of the former House speaker, believing Romualdez had no hand in the alleged budget insertions.
Philstar.com reached out to Co’s office for comment on Puno and Marcos’ call for him to return to the Philippines and explain to the public the allegations he faces. The article will be updated once a response is received.
RELATED: As Romualdez exits, Puno pins 2025 budget anomalies on Zaldy Co, Escudero
Can Co be forced to return?
Asked if the House could “force” Co to return, Marcos said he doesn’t think it is something the body can do now. However, he acknowledged the possibility of Co facing the ethics committee, similar to what expelled former Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in 2023.
“It might be. Yes. I mean there’s a precedent for it that Cong. Arnie Teves did the same,” Marcos said.
Puno, however, believes Co could be extradited, but stressed cases should first be filed.
Teves’ case. Teves first faced a complaint before the House ethics committee for his prolonged absence, which exceeded his travel authority. The committee later recommended the “most severe form of disciplinary action” over his “disorderly behavior,” prompting the House to unanimously expel him.
He had gone on leave shortly before the March 4, 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. Teves now faces murder charges in connection with Degamo’s killing and the deaths of 10 others.
He returned to the Philippines only after being repatriated from Timor-Leste, more than two years after leaving the country.
How is Co’s case similar?
Co’s case is similar in the sense that he is on leave as he faces several allegations tied to corruption, on top of the 2025 national budget’s constitutionality being challenged before the Supreme Court.
When he denied construction magnate Curlee Discaya’s claims, he said he cited the pending petitions against the budget as a reason why he is “unable to comment.”
“I am unable to comment on the matter to the public but reserve my right to comment on this matter, if and when, required by the courts where this matter is pending,” he said on September 8.
RELATED: Romualdez, House lawmakers refute Discaya kickback claims in DPWH contracts
Marcos and Puno’s statements about Co came right as Romualdez informed them of his eventual resignation, and just when the House Infra Comm moved to invite Co to its flood control probe.
