Manila, Philippines – Tahasang sinabi ni Cebu Rep Duke Frasco na hindi lusot si dating Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co sa mga kasong ibinibato laban sa kaniya.
“The resignation of Cong Zaldy Co should not, and cannot, erase his crimes, nor absolve Ako Bicol Partylist, the vehicle through which these abuses were committed.”
Binanggit ni Frasco ang nakasaad sa Section 141 (h) na , “a Member shall not acquire or receive any personal pecuniary interest in any specific business enterprise which will be directly and particularly favored or benefited by any law or resolution authored by the Member that is approved or adopted by Congress during the Member’s term.”
Ngunit bilang shareholder ng isang construction company ay nakopo nito ang maraming kontrata na pinondohan ng GAA at bilang sinasabing pasimuno ng insertion ng bilyong piso para sa mga proyekto na pinakinabangan ng kongresista at mga kasabwat diumano nito.
“Resignation spared Co from sanction by the House, but it also exposed the weakness of our system. While Co walks away, his conduit, Ako Bicol Partylist, keeps its seat, benefits, and power as if nothing happened. This is not accountability. This is impunity,’ giit pa ni Frasco.
Dagdag pa ni Frasco na ang pananagutan ay dapat tatagos sa partido at hindi sa mga nominee lamang dahil ito ay magdudulot ng panganib sa hinaharap ng panahon.
“Accountability must extend beyond individuals. If consequences are limited only to a nominee, Congress sets a dangerous precedent: that members can violate rules, resign to avoid expulsion, and leave their party untouched. To protect the integrity of our institutions, Ako Bicol Partylist must face investigation, sanction, and, if warranted, disqualification.”
Inalmahan naman ito ni Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin sa pagsasabing ang alegasyong “impunity on the part of Former Representative Zaldy Co and the Ako Bicol Party-list rests on conjecture rather than fact.”
Binigyang diin pa ni Garbin na hanggang ngayon ay wala pang kasong nakasampa laban kay Co sa alinmang korte sa bansa.
“At the outset, it must be emphasized that these are mere allegations — no criminal or administrative case has been filed, much less adjudicated, before any competent court or tribunal. The constitutional presumption of innocence under Article III, Section 14(2) of the 1987 Constitution is not a privilege selectively applied but a fundamental right extended to all citizens, including members of Congress,” ayon pa kay Garbin. (Meliza Maluntag)
