Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco on Monday stressed that the resignation of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co does not absolve him of accountability, saying he must still return to the country to face the charges filed against him.
“Dapat iniharap siya sa Committee on Ethics eh pero ano ang ginawa niya? Instead nag-resign siya. Simple lang ‘yun, ayaw niyang harapin ang mga akusasyon,” Tiangco said.
“Pero hindi pa rin diyan nagtatapos. Kailangan pa rin niyang umuwi para sagutin naman niya yung kasong finile sa kanya ng ICI.”
Tiangco said that resignation is not enough and cannot be used as an escape from responsibility, stressing that the people—not just Congress—are demanding Co’s return.
Tiangco also raised the possibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) canceling Co’s passports to compel his return.
“Dalawa po ang passport na iniisyu sa amin—may regular at may diplomatic. Pero kahit alin pa doon, pwedeng kanselahin ng DFA. Hindi naman pwede na siya ang mamimili kung kailan niya gustong umuwi. Nasa RA 8239 ‘yan, kapag may criminal charges, pwedeng i-cancel ang passport,” he explained.
Asked if he planned to file separate charges against Co for his accusations, Tiangco said it was unnecessary and a case has already been filed before the Independent Committee on Infrastructure, which makes it imperative for Co to face the accusations in person.
“Bakit pa natin kakasuhan ‘yon sa dami ng kaso na haharapin niya? Mas importante sagutin niya yung kaso niya sa pera ng taumbayan,” he noted.
Tiangco earlier filed an ethics complaint against Co over alleged budget insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act during his term as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in the 19th Congress.
On alleged insertions and kickbacks
Tiangco also stressed the controversial “insertions” issue, pointing to testimonies that claimed lawmakers received 20–25% kickbacks in exchange for insertions in the budget.
“Ngayon kung alam ba ni Speaker Romualdez ito, kaya nga dapat umuwi si Cong. Zaldy Co. Siya ang magpaliwanag kung nagpaalam ba siya kay Speaker o siya lang gumawa ng mga bagay na ito,” Tiangco remarked.
Tiangco emphasized that several other officials, including dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, have made similar revelations about alleged kickbacks.
Co's resignation letter
Tiangco insisted that Co cannot selectively respond to accusations, highlighting the absence of committee reports and minutes from the so-called “small committee.”
The Navotas lawmaker maintained that Co’s resignation is not a defeat for Congress, but rather proof that the legislator had no other choice.
“Hindi po kabiguan ito. Siya ang sumuko, tayo ang nagtagumpay. Siya ang nagresign eh,” Tiangco said. “We should not expect anything less than him answering it dito sa Pilipinas—not on his own timeline pero doon sa timeline ng ating justice system.”
House Speaker Faustino Dy III accepted Co’s resignation on September 29, which was also the deadline set by the Speaker for Co’s return to the Philippines.
In his resignation letter to Dy, Co said he would return to the country “at the right time,” citing threats to his and his family’s safety.
