Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has written to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to express his “sadness and grave concern” over the revocation of his travel clearance, insisting that the move was politically motivated and based on “false, baseless, and malicious” accusations.

In his September 25 letter, Co said he was disheartened that his colleagues in the House of Representatives had deprived him of the opportunity to undergo medical care abroad, which he had long scheduled. The lawmaker was ordered to return to the Philippines within 10 days, or by September 29, following the House leadership’s revocation of his clearance.

“I am saddened that my colleagues in the House of Representatives would deprive me of the time needed for medical care… I am gravely concerned that the decision to revoke my travel clearance was borne by pressure, rather than adherence to facts and due process,” Co said.

The Bicol lawmaker also denounced what he called “fabricated and politically charged statements” linking him to the controversial multibillion-peso flood control projects flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) and under congressional scrutiny.

Among the allegations Co denied were:

• “Insertions” in the Bicameral Report and the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) related to flood control projects. He said all allocations had undergone the proper budget process.

• Use of a family-owned aircraft to allegedly ferry former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague. Co stressed that neither he nor his family owns such an aircraft.

• Requests for fish import allocations through “ZC Victory Fishing Corporation.” Co clarified he has no ties to the company, adding that “ZC” refers to Zamboanga City, not his name.

• Receiving funds from DPWH projects. Co asserted he “received no funds” from any such projects.

Co said he remains intent on returning to the Philippines but called on Speaker Dy to ensure his safety and that of his family, as well as guarantee him due process amid the ongoing probes.

The lawmaker has been under fire since COA reports revealed alleged irregularities and ghost projects tied to billions of pesos worth of flood control funds in Bulacan and other provinces. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have pushed for a deeper investigation into the so-called “flood control scam”, where certain legislators and contractors were allegedly favored in project allocations.

“I am intent on belaying the false claims made against me before your forum. Yet I am very much apprehensive of what awaits me should I return,” Co wrote.

Speaker Dy's response

In a formal reply dated September 26, Speaker Dy reiterated that Co must comply with the House directive to return by September 29, 2025, assuring him that proper authorities would coordinate to secure his and his family’s safety.

“Allow me to emphasize that the revocation of your travel clearance should not be construed as prejudgment, but as a necessary opportunity to answer the allegations against you directly,” Dy wrote. He added that Co is also facing a complaint before the House Committee on Ethics, which requires his presence to respond fully.

The Speaker stressed that addressing the accusations “cannot be done through correspondence from abroad” but by appearing at the proper forum.

Failure to comply, he warned, would be treated as refusal to submit to House processes and could trigger “appropriate disciplinary and legal actions.”