MANILA — Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co on Tuesday denied the latest allegations raised against him during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe into anomalous infrastructure projects, saying he reserves his right to respond in the proper forum.

“The allegations made against me during today’s Senate hearing are false and baseless. I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum,” Co said in a statement sent by his staffer.

During the Senate hearing, former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and former assistant Bulacan engineer Brice Hernandez had implicated Co, claiming he was among lawmakers involved in budget insertions and kickbacks.

Alcantara said he and Co met at a gathering at Shangri-La Bonifacio, where “we were able to talk there about the plan of Cong. Zaldy to try to get funds into my district for various projects.”

He added that over four years, from 2022 to 2025, Co became a proponent of flood control and other projects totaling not less than P35 billion.

Hernandez and former Bulacan engineer Jaypee Mendoza also alleged that they delivered an estimated P1 billion in cash—packed into more than 20 suitcases and transported in six to seven vans—to Co’s penthouse unit at Shangri-La Hotel in Taguig.

While he did not personally meet Co, Hernandez said he saw the congressman during meetings with Alcantara, his former boss. Co previously denied similar allegations from contractor-couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, calling the claims politically motivated and unsubstantiated.

Aside from the Senate probe, Co faces a separate complaint filed by Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

The complaint alleges violations of the 1987 Constitution, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), and specific House rules. Newly-elected Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has ordered Co to return within 10 days to address the allegations, after officially revoking his travel clearance on September 18.