7 vans of P1 billion in cash delivered to Zaldy Co – ex-DPWH engineer
MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P1 billion in cash was delivered to Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list) packed into 20 pieces of luggage, according to sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez.
At the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's hearing on Tuesday, September 23, Hernandez said Co had met with dismissed district engineer Henry Alcantara at Shangri-La Hotel in the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
There, one of Co’s staff members, identified only as "Paul," collected the money.
“Maraming maleta po ng pera yun, Your Honor. Tingin ko po, billion po yun,” Hernandez said. (There were many suitcases with money, Your Honor. I think it’s a billion.)
Hernandez estimated each suitcase contained about P50 million, filling up to seven vans. They suitcases were brought directly from basement parking to a penthouse suite.
Hernandez’s statement was corroborated by fellow dismissed DPWH engineer Jaypee Mendoza, who said he was present during the deliveries.
Both testified that the first drop-offs were made at Shangri-La before subsequent deliveries were transferred to Valle Verde.
Kickback scheme allegations. Earlier in the hearing, Alcantara accused Co of inserting up to P35 billion in funds into the national budget for later kickback schemes.
Co, the former chair of the House Appropriations Committee is currently outside of the country. He reportedly has sought medical treatment.
However, House Speaker Bojie Dy has already canceled Co’s travel clearance, ordering him to come home.
- Latest
- Trending
