Co’s 3 of 10 planes left the Philippines as kickback allegations mount

Former Cong. Zaldy Co

Co’s 3 of 10 planes left the Philippines as kickback allegations mount

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 29, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Public outrage has intensified as former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, accused of masterminding a multi-trillion peso kickback scheme linked to allegedly fraudulent Department of Public Works and Highways flood control projects, remains at large.

Adding fuel to the fire, three of his 20 registered aircraft have reportedly left the country, raising concerns about potential obstruction of justice.

Co’s air assets’ departure comes amid mounting pressure for his return to the Philippines to address allegations of irregularities in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

House Speaker Faustino Dy III has formally requested Co’s return, but the government has yet to compel him to face the accusations.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed that two AgustaWestland helicopters departed for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Aug. 20 and Sept. 11, respectively.

A Gulfstream aircraft has been in Singapore since Aug. 16.

“CAAP continues to monitor all registered air assets in accordance with the law,” said CAAP Director General Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario AFP (Ret.) in a radio interview.

Co abruptly resigned from the House on Sept. 29, following Dy’s directive for him to return within 10 days.

While citing medical treatment in the United States, intelligence reports suggest he may have relocated to Europe.

Co, who chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee in the 19th Congress, is under intense scrutiny for allegedly inserting irregular allocations into the 2025 GAA and receiving kickbacks from fraudulent projects through his company, Sunwest Inc. He is also implicated alongside former Speaker Martin Romualdez in the alleged scheme.

While the House is attempting to leverage the Department of Justice’s influence over the Bureau of Immigration to expedite Co’s return, the Department of Foreign Affairs ultimately controls passport cancellation.

Critics argue that the process is moving too slowly, given the gravity of the accusations and the potential for Co to evade accountability.

The sheer scale of the alleged corruption – trillions of pesos – underscores the urgency for action against him.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is also actively investigating the alleged irregularities.

The delay in Co’s return and the departure of his air assets are fueling public suspicion and demands for swift and decisive action to ensure accountability.