ICI summons Zaldy Co anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has issued new subpoenas to former congressman Zaldy Co – delivered to his residences in Pasig City and Bicol – telling him to appear before the commission on Nov. 11 and 12 as part of the ICI investigation on anomalies in flood control projects.

“We sent a new subpoena to him addressed to his Pasig residence and the one in Bicol. We’re just awaiting the reports from those who served it,” ICI spokesman Brian Hosaka said yesterday.

Co’s whereabouts remain unknown, but there are reports that he is in Spain or Portugal.

Hosaka said the ICI may file a petition to have Co cited in contempt if he continues to ignore the commission’s summons.

Hosaka also denied reports that the ICI had invited Sen. Bong Go to appear in its investigation, countering an earlier claim made by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

“No invitation has been sent by the commission to Sen. Bong Go to appear as a resource person,” Hosaka Hosaka told reporters.

Trillanes, in a social media post, claimed that Go had been invited by the ICI but the senator reportedly insisted he would only attend if accompanied by his Senate allies, Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

“I have information that Bong Go was already invited to appear before the ICI, but he refused to go unless Imee and Bato are with him to act as his defenders,” Trillanes said in Filipino in his post on X.

The former senator urged the ICI to summon Go, his father Deciderio Lim Go and his brother Alfredo Go in connection with the graft and plunder complaints he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Oct. 21.

Trillanes alleged that the senator and former president Rodrigo Duterte benefited from around P6.95 billion worth of government infrastructure projects that were allegedly awarded to two companies – CLTG Builders, owned by Go’s father, and Alfrego Builders, owned by his brother.

On Oct. 24, Trillanes formally submitted a letter and a copy of his complaint affidavit to the ICI, asking the commission to include the Go family in its probe on the controversial flood control projects.

“The ICI must invite Sen. Bong Go, along with his father and brother, to explain their roles in these government projects,” Trillanes said. “Let’s keep the pressure on – the Filipino people deserve the truth.”

The complaint accuses Go of conflict of interest and abuse of power, citing his position as then-special assistant to president Duterte before he was elected senator in 2019.

Trillanes claimed the alleged deals raise serious questions about influence and favoritism during the Duterte administration.

Hosaka confirmed that the ICI has received Trillanes’ submission and related documents.

In an interview with One News’ “Storycon,” Hosaka said the ICC is “doing what it can” with its limited resources as it continues to investigate the flood control corruption.