Zaldy Co slams fund diversion claim

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

TABACO CITY, Albay --- Ako Bicol (AKB) Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co has dismissed allegations that he and fellow AKB lawmaker Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon diverted P1.12 billion worth of development projects from Albay’s first district, calling the claims “completely false and misleading.”

Co insisted that the late Rep. Edcel Lagman’s prolonged absence from Congress resulted in delays in securing funds for his district. He also claimed that the Lagman family kept the late lawmaker’s health condition private, preventing Congress from appointing a caretaker representative to facilitate projects.

“Without a representative actively following up on the projects for the First District of Albay, delays in securing funds were inevitable,” Co stated.

“Furthermore, because the Lagman family kept his health condition private, Congress was unable to appoint a caretaker representative who could have facilitated these projects,” he added.

Co also dismissed allegations that the P1.12 billion budget was reallocated for personal interests, emphasizing that all government projects go through strict approval and auditing procedures to ensure transparency.

“The claim that funds were redirected for personal gain is baseless. My commitment as a legislator is to serve the people and ensure that projects benefiting communities, including those in Albay, are implemented fairly and equitably,” Co said.

He urged the public to be discerning and not fall for what he described as “misleading political narrative.”

However, Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman, daughter of the late Rep. Edcel Lagman, refuted Co’s claims, stating that her father’s health condition was never concealed from Congress. She revealed that Speaker Martin Romualdez approved her father’s medical leave and later granted his request for online attendance at congressional sessions.

“Papa took a medical leave when he was confined. After discharge, he requested online attendance at the sessions. Both were approved by the Speaker. Nothing was hidden. Everything was communicated to the Office of the Speaker,” she said.

Mayor Lagman accused Co and Bongalon of deleting P1.12 billion worth of projects for Albay’s first district during the bicameral conference committee deliberations. She claimed that instead, P750 million was reallocated to projects in Alimsog, Sto. Domingo, and Cagraray Island—locations where Co’s family reportedly owns beach properties and resorts.

“No need for Papa to watch over his budget because it was passed by the House of Representatives untouched. It was in bicam where Zaldy and Jil interfered. Who else in the bicameral committee would be interested in the first district’s budget but them? And it is obvious that they diverted it to projects that will benefit their personal interests,” she said.

Alleged diversion to family properties

Based on the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB) and National Expenditure Program (NEP), the following projects were approved under the P750 million infrastructure fund that Mayor Lagman claimed would benefit Co’s family:

P250 million – Construction of the Alimsog Centro-Sitio Balite Road, Barangay Alimsog, Sto. Domingo, Albay

P250 million – Construction of the Alimsog Saday-Alimsog Centro Coastal Road (Phase 1)

P250 million – Construction of the Alimsog Saday-Alimsog Centro Coastal Road (Phase 2)

Meanwhile, P1.12 billion worth of projects originally allocated for the first district of Albay, including P300 million for the restoration of St. John the Baptist Church, were reportedly removed.

The St. John the Baptist Church, built in 1587, was severely damaged by Super Typhoon Rolly in 2020.

Mayor Lagman clarified that the projects for her father’s district were originally included in the NEP and later reinforced in the HGAB. However, she claimed that Co and Bongalon removed the funding during bicameral deliberations, making comparisons between HGAB and the General Appropriations Act (GAA) crucial in determining the changes.

“Papa’s priority projects were in NEP, and additional ones were included in HGAB. What Zaldy and Jil removed was from the HGAB during the bicameral committee process. That’s why the best comparison is between HGAB and the GAA, which was signed by the President,” she explained.

While Co strongly denied diverting the P1.12 billion fund, he remained silent on the P750 million allocation for infrastructure projects leading to beach properties allegedly owned by his family.