Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co on Monday resigned from his post in the House of Representatives.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Co said that his decision to step down was not easy but was the right course of action.

"Mabigat man sa aking puso, ako’y nagpaabot ng aking pagbibitiw bilang Kinatawan sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongresos," Co said.

"This decision was not made lightly, but I weighed it carefully for the welfare of my family and the people I continue to serve," he added.

Resignation Letter

Co’s resignation letter was accepted by House Speaker Faustino Dy III. A copy of the resignation letter was also given to 4Ps Party List Representative JC Abalos, chairman of the Committee on Ethics.

“I am constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives,” he said.

In the letter, Co responded to several allegations against him, including budget insertions, absenteeism in the House, and links to a company awarded infrastructure projects.

"I am reserving my right to address the sham and baseless accusations made by Representative Tiangco at the appropriate time and before the appropriate forum," he said.

House Speaker Dy III set a deadline for Co to return to the Philippines on Monday, September 29, following the revocation of his travel authority.

Co is expected to face all pending allegations, including issues related to insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and other alleged irregularities connected to the flood control scam.

Co did not specify in his letter his current location or whether he is in the Philippines or abroad.

Earlier, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a ‘blue notice’ against Co.