Lawmaker says Zaldy Co should go back to PH if he desires to testify.
Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co should be in the Philippines if he wants to testify against President Bongbong Marcos.
House Committee on Justice chairperson Gerville Luistro said on Saturday that former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co can testify against President
Bongbong Marcos
in the impeachment complaint. However, in order to do this, he needs to go back to the Philippines first.
Former congressman Mike Defensor made the claim about Co wanting to testify, but the latter has yet to confirm his supposed willingness to testify. Luistro said that while it is “everybody’s right to testify,” the House Committee on Justice has its own set of rules.
“For as long as he is willing to appear and to take his oath. Kung itong mga intended witness is willing to come before the Justice Committee and take their oath, of course, they can testify,”
Luistro said, and added that all pieces of evidence that support the impeachment complaint have to be sworn in before the Justice Committee.
Meanwhile, Co’s current location remained unconfirmed. He fled the country when his name was dragged into the massive corruption in the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a previous article, it was reported that he is in Portugal, and
PBBM wanted a proper and legal coordination regarding the return of Co
rather than extradition.
Defensor, former congressman Jacinto Paras, and lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Manuelito delos Reyes Luna have accused the president of alleged culpable violations of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
The arguments stated in the submitted
impeachment complaint against the president
Respondent ordered and enabled the kidnapping and surrender of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Respondent is unfit to serve as President due to drug addiction.
Respondent committed betrayal of public trust when he failed to veto unprogrammed appropriations (UA) and other unconstitutional provisions in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Respondent engaged in graft and corruption through kickbacks and ghost projects.
Respondent created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to shield corrupt allies.
Respondent violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering former President Duterte to the ICC.