Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said former Committee on Appropriations chair Zaldy Co’s extended United States stay is due to undergoing extensive medical treatment.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Friday, Garbin turned the tables on Navotas Rep. Tobias "Toby" Tiangco, which he accused of diverting the issue away from alleged anomalous contractors linked to projects in his own district.
Garbin defended Co’s presence in America is backed by official reasons and was given authority from the House of Representatives.
“Nasa America po siya una dahil naghatid siya ng kaniyang anak. Nag-aaral kasi sa isang unibersidad doon. Pangawala, in time din sa kaniyang extensive check up sa US, iyan po ang on record. Mayroon ding travel authority from the House of Representatives,” he explained.
According to Garbin, Co has been traveling abroad since he stepped down from the powerful CA due to health issues.
“When he resigned from the Committee of Appropriations, palagi na siyang nasa abroad sa kadahilanan ngang mayroon siyang heart ailment palagi siyang nagpapacheck-up. Sabi ng doktor niya medyo irregular ito 90/60 I think you have to undergo other several procedures pa,” he added.
Garbin also clarified that the investigation is primarily aimed at questionable contracts, particularly the alleged ghost projects in Bulacan.
"The call for investigation ay para sa mga maanomalyang kontrata lalong lalo na yung mga ghost projects doon sa Bulacan," he said.
Garbin to Tiongco: 'Investigate yourself first'
On Tuesday, Tiangco revealed that party-list groups linked to Co allegedly received over ₱4 billion in allocations from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in addition to around ₱13 billion directly under Co’s name.
However, Garbin defended Co and criticized Tiangco for singling out his colleague during hearings on anomalous projects, pointing out that two contractors tagged in ghost projects — SYMS Construction Trading and St. Timothy — are also implementing flood control projects in Navotas.
“Nagtataka rin nga ako kay Toby Tiangco dahil nandoon ang dalawang contractor na involved sa ghost project na contractor niya rin sa Navotas. ‘Yung SYMS Construction Trading at St. Timothy na gumagawa ng flood control niya," he said.
"Sana doon na lang siya tumutok at inimbestigahan ang sarili niya,” Garbin stressed.
He further noted that Tiangco’s 2025 insertions in the national budget amounted to ₱529 million, with at least ₱350 million allocated for a flood control project awarded to the same contractors.
“Ang ginagawa na project na iyon ay part of his insertions sa 2025 awarded to SYMS Trading at St. Timothy. May insertion din siya sa 2025 na sobra sa kalahating bilyon. Ang flood control ay aabot sa P350-M plus,” Garbin said.
The Ako Bicol solon said Tiangco should first address possible red flags in his own district.
“If he is after for those all insertions edi imbestigahan muna niya ang sarili niya, yung insertion niya na ipinasok niya sa 2025 ang dalawang taker doon ay naiinvolve sa mga maanomalyang ghost project,” he argued.
Garbin also pointed out that House tradition dictates members should avoid turning themselves into “resource speakers” during hearings.
“Imbestigahan niya sarili niya muna bago ang tricom kasi yung tricom naman according to proper courtesy sa mga House members yun po ang iniingatan natin. That’s a long standing tradition na huwag mong imbestigahan o as much as possible huwag mong gawing resource speaker ang sarili mo,” he said.
Garbin reiterated that the call for investigation should be focused on contractors involved in ghost projects.
“Hindi ko naman sinasabing may anomalya but it should have been a red flag. If he is all for transparency and accountability, bakit hindi niya pinansin ang presence ng dalawang kontraktor sa kaniyang distrito na gumagawa ng kaniyang flood control,” he stressed.
