House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Tuesday, November 18 urged resigned lawmaker Elizaldy Co to return to the Philippines and confront the corruption allegations tied to flood control projects, saying Co cannot hide abroad while the investigation intensifies.
Dy framed Co’s absence as the disappearance of a former budget architect who once shaped national spending and now avoids questions central to the probe of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“When the accusation is heavy, the resolve must be heavier,” Dy said. “He must appear before the ICI, take an oath, and present evidence. He cannot clear his name through a video from abroad.”
Dy stressed that Co previously chaired the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) and controlled billions in allocations for infrastructure programs.
He said Co’s refusal to face investigators disrupts efforts to uncover irregularities in the system that Co once helped design.
Dy said all lawmakers flagged by the ICI have already appeared and cooperated, leaving Co still evading the probe.
“Other lawmakers faced investigators and clarified their involvement, but former Rep. Co avoided them,” Dy said. “He does not help the investigation; he only adds confusion to the public.”
Dy also said he immediately canceled Co’s travel authority when he assumed the Speakership to compel the former lawmaker to return.
He said he coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to revoke Co’s passport after Co ignored the directive.
Despite these moves, Co remains overseas and only released a video shifting blame to others.
Dy said he is ready to coordinate with security agencies to provide Co with protection if he fears threats tied to his testimony.
He insisted that Co’s statements matter because he handled key budget decisions.
The speaker also addressed the public directly, acknowledging widespread frustration over conflicting information.
“We understand your exhaustion,” he said. “You demand truth, and we demand the same. That is why I call on former Rep. Co: return and face the Filipino people.”
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.