Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has called on former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co to return to the Philippines amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a Facebook post on Friday, October 10, Dela Rosa made the appeal in a partly humorous tone following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental, and was felt across several parts of Mindanao.

“Maawa ka na sa Pilipinas, Zaldy! Palagi daw itong lilindolin hangga’t hindi ka umuwi!” he wrote. “Kahit naka-squat na ako sa lupa kanina, nahihilo pa rin ako sa lakas at tagal ng lindol. Umuwi ka na please.”

The post came two days after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) issued a subpoena dated October 8, summoning Co in connection with its probe into alleged fund misuse and anomalies in DPWH’s flood control projects.

Co, who recently resigned as Ako Bicol representative, has been linked to supposed irregularities involving multi-million peso projects and favored contractors.

Dela Rosa earlier asserted that Co’s resignation was not enough to address the issue.

“It’s not enough. Stepping down is not enough,” the senator said.

“What will be enough is a thorough investigation — if it warrants prosecution, prosecution; if it warrants conviction, conviction. That’s what the people are looking for.”

Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess the impact of the 7.4-magnitude quake, which caused power interruptions and prompted evacuations in parts of Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.