The legal counsel of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, Atty. Ruy Rondain, on Wednesday, denied allegations that his client owns aircraft.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, November 5, Rondain clarified that the aircraft being linked to Co are actually owned by Misibis Aviation, a company that is separate from Co’s personal holdings, reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort.
“Si Representative Co, wala siyang minamay-ari na any aircraft,” Rondain said.
“I understand that any aircraft related to him is owned by Misibis Aviation. Separate si Mr. Co sa Misibis,” he added.
Rondain made the statement following confirmation from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that three air assets allegedly connected to Co had already left the country.
He called the reports “misinformation,” explaining that Misibis Aviation was incorporated long before Co became a congressman.
"Secretary Dizon keeps saying na ife-freeze lahat yan, iko-confiscate yan. Eh, if you look at his SALN, yung Misibis Aviation was incorporated in 2004, 2008. Now, Zaldy Co became a congressman in 2019. So, yang aviation company na in which he owns stock is what? Was already 15, 16, 17 years old before he became a congressman,” he explained.
Zaldy Co's SALN
Rondain also addressed questions about Co’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which declared a ₱4.1 billion net worth in 2019, which has since increased to P900 million.
He said the figure has since increased slightly to around ₱5 billion, but maintained that this is not indicative of corruption.
Rondain added that Co was already wealthier than some of the country’s richest lawmakers at that time.
"He was already richer than [former senators] Cynthia Villar or Manny Pacquiao. Just to keep it in context. I remember it did grow, but even that is not an indication of criminality, kasi naka-file naman ang ITR,” he noted.
Rondain also dismissed reports alleging bags of cash deliveries to Co, saying these claims were baseless and came from questionable sources.
He said it was during the Senate hearing that he first heard the name of the retired Marine serviceman, Orly Guteza, who introduced himself as Co’s former security consultant.
The lawyer further accused the Office of the Ombudsman of prematurely judging Co’s case.
He added that Co currently has no plans to file a counter-affidavit.
