Zaldy Co ‘meddled’ in past projects – Remulla

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned congressman Zaldy Co has been meddling with government projects even before he was linked to flood control project anomalies, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said, adding that Co even attempted to corner the contract for the Bureau of Immigration (BI)’s multibillion-peso electronic gates (e-gates) project.

In an interview with Luchi Cruz-Valdes on Friday night, Remulla said Co was a long-time contractor, even during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“And I’m not fond of him even when we were together at the Congress…Because he was meddling with some contracts and I’m not fond of that. I’ve been vocal about it,” he said.

Remulla used to be a congressman of Cavite before he was appointed as justice secretary.

“He wanted to corner the contract (e-gates). It was a complicated issue, but that kind of impunity has to stop. That’s why I told myself ‘I want to be the ombudsman. I don’t want this’. Imagine, I’m already the secretary of justice and they still meddle with us here, what more with the other (offices)?” Remulla said.

Asked in what way Co tried to meddle with the e-gates project, Remulla said the former lawmaker and his cohorts tried to influence the BI to revise the Terms of Reference of the project so that only their firm can qualify in the bidding.

The supply of the e-gates was awarded to Singapore-based Ascent Solutions.

The first phase of the e-gates project, with a budget of P1.976 billion, was launched in 2024 with the installation of the e-gate units at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The second phase of the project, with an allocated budget of P1.347 billion, was due for implementation this year involving the installation of over 100 e-gates units in other international airports in the country.

Asked why Co supposedly tried to meddle with the awarding of the contract for the project, Remulla replied: “For money. They probably have a client who would give them kickbacks. I did not inquire any further. But all that I saw was that they wanted to meddle.”

Co is currently under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his alleged involvement with the flood control project anomalies.