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Zaldy Co

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Salcedo and the surname or paternal family name is Co.

Zaldy Co
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Ako Bicol
In office
June 30, 2019 – September 29, 2025
Serving with Jil Bongalon (2022–2025)
Alfredo Garbin (2025)
Succeeded byJan Chan
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
In office
July 25, 2022 – January 13, 2025
Preceded byEric Yap
Succeeded byStella Quimbo
Personal details
BornElizaldy Salcedo Co
(1970-12-08) December 8, 1970 (age 54)
Political partyAko Bicol
SpouseMylene Recinto-Co
RelationsChristopher Co (brother)
Natasha Co (niece)
Claudine Co (niece)
Children4
Alma materAMA Computer College (BS)
Aquinas University (MBA)
OccupationPolitician, businessman
Known forCEO, Sunwest Group of Companies
Chairman, Misibis Bay Resort

Elizaldy "Zaldy" Salcedo Co (born December 8, 1970) is a Filipino businessman and politician who previously served as a representative for the Ako Bicol Partylist in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2019 until his resignation in 2025. He is also the chief executive officer of the Sunwest Group of Companies and Chairman of the Board of Misibis Bay Resort in Bacacay, Albay.

Early life and education

Co was born on December 8, 1970.[1] He completed his primary education at Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School in Legazpi in 1982 and his secondary education at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Tabaco in 1986. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer engineering from AMA Computer College and later completed his Master of Business Administration at Aquinas University in 1998.[2]

Business career

Zaldy Co along with his brother Christopher "Kito" Co founded the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation (SCDC) in 1997.[3][4] The business which later renamed as Sunwest Inc., diversified and became involved in the real estate, energy, and tourism industries.[4]

On January 31, 2002, a cargo ship owned by Co sank in Albay Gulf due to strong waves it encountered while transporting a bulldozer from Santo Domingo to Bacacay, Albay; although six of its passengers swam to safety, one 65-year-old passenger went missing.[5][6]

In the 2000s, Co's Sunwest was linked to government flood control and road projects under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Sunwest is among the top contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways.[4] In May 2007, Albay vice governor Jesus "James" Calisin claimed that several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) river projects awarded to the Co siblings' companies were being fraudulently implemented, with funds meant for the rehabilitation of Albay in the aftermath of Typhoons Milenyo and Reming alleged to have been redirected for use in the 2007 elections.[7] According to Calisin, one of the projects involved the channeling of a non-existent river in the town of Malilipot.[7] Albay governor Fernando Gonzales had previously attempted to meet several times with DPWH Bicol officials for better coordination on infrastructure projects in the province, but they consistently ignored his invitations.[7]

In 2008, Co proposed the establishment of three mini hydroelectric power plants in the province of Catanduanes, which were supported by Governor Joseph Cua but opposed by energy commissioner Rodolfo Albano Jr.;[8] it was soon approved by the Department of Energy, and by 2011 two of the three plants built by Co's company Suweco were in operation.[9][10]

In 2009, Sunwest acquired the Hyatt Regency Hotel of Jose Mari Chan in Pasay.[11] The hotel reopened as Midas Hotel and Casino in December 2010.[12]

In 2013, the DPWH infrastructure projects acquired by the Co sibling's companies Sunwest and Hi-Tone received scrutiny after numerous "completed" projects in Albay were found to be unfinished despite them already being paid in full.[13][14][15][16] A year later, both construction companies were investigated by the Commission on Audit for their potential involvement in the pork barrel scam after each of them were found to have received over ₱1 billion worth of DPWH projects from 2009 to 2010 that were funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund of congressmen.[17]

From 2016 to 2025, Sunwest bagged ₱86.1 billion worth of contracts, almost half of which are in the Bicol Region.[4][18] His company secured contracts including landslide facilities for the Bicol International Airport.[19]

Co divested from SCDC in 2019 but remains as a beneficial owner.[20]

House of Representatives

The party-list Ako Bicol, chaired by Co and aiming to represent the people of Bicol Region, was accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in 2009.[21][22][23] By this time, Co had reportedly been close to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel, with the party-list group Bayan Muna filing a disqualification case against Ako Bicol on claims that it was merely a front for the Arroyos.[24] Nevertheless, Ako Bicol topped the party-list election in 2010, garnering its first three nominees (including Co's brother Christopher) seats in the House of Representatives.[21] In late 2012, COMELEC attempted to disqualify Ako Bicol and three other party-list groups for not representing a marginalized sector, but was given a status quo ante order by the Supreme Court halting its suspension of the party-lists.[25][23][26]

18th Congress

Co was inaugurated as a representative for the Ako Bicol party-list in the House of Representatives of the Philippines on June 30, 2019.[27] He approached president Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the completion of the Bicol International Airport.[18]

19th Congress

Official portrait taken in 2022 for the 19th Congress

In the 19th Congress which began in 2022, he was appointed as the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.[28] He was removed from the position in January 2025.[29] Co authored 524 bills during the 19th Congress.[30]

In February 2023, Co was endorsed by the term-limited Joey Salceda as his successor as Albay's 2nd district representative.[31] However, Co remained a nominee of Ako Bicol for the 2025 election.

2025 elections

This section is an excerpt from Ako Bicol § 2025 elections.[edit]
In February 2025, Kontra Daya stated that Ako Bicol was among the 86 out of 155 paty-list groups running in the elections that do not represent the poor or the marginalized, pointing out Ako Bicol's links to big businesses.[32] The Co family has also been described as a political dynasty that includes Zaldy Co, Christopher Co, Diday Co, and Angelica Natasha Co. The family runs quarrying operations in Albay, which the Catholic Diocese of Legazpi blames for the destruction of mountains and the 2024 floods during typhoons Kristine and Pepito.[33]

20th Congress

Co retained his seat in the lower house for the 20th Congress, which started in July 2025. However, he did not attend any plenary session since the house convened on July 28, 2025.[34] Co, due to his ownership of the contractor firm Sunwest, has been implicated in the 2025 flood control projects scandal.[35][36] Co went to the United States, citing medical treatment as his reason.[37] On September 19, newly elected House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked Co's travel license, demanding his return to the Philippines within 10 days to answer allegations against him.[38] However, on September 29, Co resigned as member of the House of Representatives.[39]

Controversies

Pharmally and DepEd laptop controversy

In February 2024, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva raised concerns about Co's company, Sunwest Corporation, alleging its involvement in the Pharmally scandal and a controversial Department of Education laptop deal. This came after Co referenced a dismissed ombudsman case against Villanueva, who countered by presenting evidence suggesting his signature was forged.[40] In 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman charged Department of Education executives for buying overpriced and outdated laptops from Sunwest in 2021.[41]

National budget dispute

In September 2024, Co, along with other lawmakers, disputed Vice President Sara Duterte's claim that only two officials controlled the national budget. Co described the statement as a "scam attempt" and emphasized that budget decisions were made collectively. He also criticized Duterte for not attending a hearing on the Office of the Vice President's proposed budget.[42]

Involvement in the flood control funding controversy

Main articles: Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines and Zaldy Co video statement

In October 2024, Co faced scrutiny over statements regarding flood control funding in the Bicol region. A Vera Files fact-check revealed that he had misrepresented the funding situation by claiming no billion-peso funding was allocated for flood control projects, while the Department of Public Works and Highways had received ₱1.3 billion for such efforts in 2023.[43] Co later defended the administration's strategy, explaining that funding was redirected toward water impounding facilities to improve food security.[44]

Construction firms linked to Co's family received flood contracts worth ₱15.7 billion while Co headed the House appropriations committee, which decides on the national budget.[41] Co is co-founder of Sunwest, Inc. while his brother Christopher Co is co-founder of Hi-Tone and his sister Farida Co is co-founder of FS Co, all firms with large government contracts.[41] On September 25, his Wikipedia page was vandalized for two hours, with his surname altered from "Co" to "Co-rakot".[a][45]

On September 18, 2025, House Speaker Bojie Dy revoked Co's travel clearance and ordered him to return to the Philippines.[46] The DPWH ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze ₱4.7-billion worth in air assets, including several luxury planes, owned by companies linked to Co.[47] On September 26, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it was requesting an International Police (Interpol) Blue Notice to help locate Co.[48]

On September 29, 2025, Co resigned as a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ako Bicol partylist amid allegations of massive corruption in connection with flood control projects and insertions in the national budget, accusations that he has repeatedly denied while abroad.[49]

On November 14, 2025, Co released a five-minute video admitting he facilitated budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.[50] He claimed the directive to include about ₱100 billion, largely for flood control projects, came from President Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.[51]

On November 21, 2025, the Sandiganbayan released warrants of arrest and hold departure orders against Co and 17 other individuals over the flood-control project controversy, particularly that in Oriental Mindoro.[52]

On November 24, 2025, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the requested Interpol Blue Notice has been issued against Co.[53]

Personal life

Co is married to Mylene Recinto-Co.[54][55]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Zaldy Co
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
2019 Representative (Party-list) Ako Bicol 1,049,040 3.76% 3rd — Won
2022 816,445 2.24% 5th -1.52 Won
2025 1,073,119 2.56% 6th +0.32 Won

Notes

  1. ^ A pun on the Filipino word "kurakot", which translates in English to "corrupt".

References

  1. ^ "Elizaldy Co". Rappler. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "Elizaldy S. Co profile". Superbrands. Retrieved November 6, 2024.[dead link]
  3. ^ De Leon, Dwight; Valmonte, Kaycee (March 7, 2025). "Mapping the scandal-plagued business fortunes of Zaldy Co". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Baclig, Cristina Eloisa (September 18, 2025). "The congressman and the billions: Tracing the power of Zaldy Co". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Belen, Job (February 2, 2002). "Cargo boat sinks off Albay; 5 passengers rescued, 1 missing". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Sto. Domingo, Albay. p. A14. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Pareño, Roel; Etolle, Nestor (February 3, 2002). "Cargo ship with 70 aboard missing". Philstar.com. Zamboanga City. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Barcia, Rhaydz B. (June 1, 2007). "Government losing billions in spurious projects in Albay". The Manila Times. Legazpi City. p. A6. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  8. ^ Barcia, Rhaydz B. (June 10, 2008). "Thousands attend ERC hearing in Catanduanes". The Manila Times. p. A6. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  9. ^ "Philippines government OK's new project". UPI. June 27, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  10. ^ "Aquino turns on Catanduanes power plants". Inquirer.net. May 4, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2025. The Solong and Hitoma plants started soft operations in late 2010 and early 2011, respectively.
  11. ^ "Hyatt Regency sold; to reopen as hotel-casino". Marianas Business Journal. December 20, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  12. ^ Hallig, Lester Gopela (March 13, 2011). "The Midas touch". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Ugalde, Manilyn (September 15, 2013). "Residents cry 'foul' over ghost bridge project in Albay town". PNA. Both the Kilikao and Mariawa projects were under contract with Hi-Tone Construction and implemented by the DPWH regional office, according to records.
  14. ^ "PHOTO ESSAY: Mga 'di kumpletong road project at multi-purpose building sa Albay, Lanao del Sur". GMA News Online. September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  15. ^ "'Ahensiyasat: DPWH' sa special report ng 'Reporter's Notebook'". GMA News Online. October 7, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  16. ^ Ugalde, Manny T. (October 10, 2013). "Mouthpiece says DPWH produces too many millionaires". The Manila Times. Legazpi, Albay. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  17. ^ "'Pork' contractors in dubious deals escape govt blacklist". The Manila Times. June 11, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "AKB Rep at Sunwest Corp Founder Zaldy Co, sinagot ang pagkakakaladkad ng kanyang kumpanya sa Pharmally issue" [AKB Rep and Sunwest Corp Founder Zaldy Co, answer his company dragging into the Pharmally issue]. Brigada News (in Filipino). September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "Pharmally leads 10 firms that got biggest pandemic contracts, group says". The Philippine Star. October 14, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  20. ^ De Leon, Dwight (March 8, 2025). "Zaldy Co still 'beneficial owner' of scandal-ridden public works contractor". Rappler. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Rodan, Garry (2018). "6: The Philippines' Party-list System, Reformers, and Oligarchs". Participation Without Democracy: Containing Conflict in Southeast Asia. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press. p. 127. ISBN 9781501720130. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  22. ^ Torres, Tetch (October 30, 2012). "SC urged to nullify Comelec order disqualifying Ako Bicol". Inquirer.net. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Atong Paglaum, Inc. vs. Commission on Elections, Supreme Court E-library (April 2, 2013).
  24. ^ Diaz, Jess (July 2, 2010). "Ako Bicol vows to support Aquino administration". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  25. ^ Romero, Purple S. (November 13, 2012). "SC stops disqualification of Ako Bicol, 3 others". Rappler. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  26. ^ Merueñas, Mark (April 5, 2013). "SC: Party-lists need not represent marginalized sectors". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  27. ^ "House of Representatives Member Profile". Congress.gov.ph. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "House Committee on Appropriations". Congress.gov.ph. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  29. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (January 13, 2025). "Rep. Co removed from House appropriations post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  30. ^ de Leon, Dwight (June 30, 2025). "Your lawmaker filed either hundreds, or just a few bills. So what?". Rappler. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "Salceda endorses Co as successor in 2025". Manila Bulletin. February 6, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  32. ^ Cruz, RG. "Party-lists flagged for links to businesses, political clans point to track record". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  33. ^ Balonzo, Reinnard; Armeña, Rosmae Ysabel (April 26, 2025). "In typhoon-hit Bicol, political clans aiding victims backed projects blamed for flooding". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  34. ^ de Leon, Dwight (September 3, 2025). "Where is Zaldy Co?". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 3, 2025.
  35. ^ Porcalla, Delon (August 12, 2025). "Silence from House on list of contractors". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  36. ^ Baclig, Cristina Eloisa (September 19, 2025). "Zaldy Co in the eye of the flood control super typhoon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  37. ^ de Leon, Dwight (September 4, 2025). "House confirms Zaldy Co in US for medical treatment". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ^ Subingsubing, Krixia (September 19, 2025). "Dy's first move as speaker: Zaldy Co told to return in 10 days". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  39. ^ "Zaldy Co resigns amid flood control projects investigation". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  40. ^ Hana Bordey (February 12, 2024). "Villanueva hits back at Zaldy Co: Your company is linked to Pharmally, DepEd laptop controversies". GMA Integrated News.
  41. ^ a b c Latoza, Guinevere (August 31, 2025). "Five Reveals from the Flood-Control Data". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  42. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (September 10, 2024). "Co, other solons dispute VP Sara's claim of 2 execs controlling budget". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  43. ^ "Fact Check: Co falsely claims 'no billion-peso' funding for flood control in Bicol". Vera Files. November 5, 2024.
  44. ^ Oliquino, Edjen (October 25, 2024). "Co counters claims on Bicol's multi-billion peso flood control budget". Daily Tribune.
  45. ^ Garcia, Patrick (September 25, 2025). "Rep. Zaldy Co's Wikipedia Details Tampered". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  46. ^ Punzalan, Jamaine. "Speaker revokes Zaldy Co's travel clearance, orders his immediate return | ABS-CBN News". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  47. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (September 24, 2025). "What's in Zaldy Co's hangar? P4.7-billion worth of aircraft linked to his firms". Rappler. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  48. ^ Bolledo, Jairo (September 26, 2025). "Interpol Blue Notice sought to track Zaldy Co's whereabouts". Rappler. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  49. ^ "Zaldy Co resigns from House of Representatives". GMA News Online. September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  50. ^ Hilotin, Jay (November 14, 2025). "Philippines corruption shockwave: Ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co admits to $1.69-billion budget insertion, pins down Marcos Jr, cousin Romualdez — what happens next". Gulf News.
  51. ^ Panti, Llanesca T. (November 14, 2025). "Zaldy Co tags Marcos, Romualdez in alleged P100-B budget 'insertions'". GMA News.
  52. ^ Mendoza, Red; Ismael, Javier Joe; Abanilla, Izel; Baroña, Franco Jose C. (November 22, 2025). "Arrest warrants out for Zaldy Co, others". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  53. ^ Abanilla, Izel (November 24, 2025). "Interpol blue notice for Zaldy Co out – DILG". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  54. ^ "Contractors snare billions for laptops, PPEs, elections" (PDF). Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  55. ^ "PNB partners with Sunwestville". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 5, 2007. p. B8. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
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