MANILA – Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has resigned from the House of Representatives, citing threats to his family’s safety and what he described as denial of due process amid accusations linking him to budget insertions and irregularities in flood control projects.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Faustino Dy III and Committee on Ethics Chairperson Jonathan Clement Abalos dated September 29, Co said his resignation was “with immediate effect” and “irrevocable.”

He said the Ako Bicol Party-list would soon nominate his replacement.

“I am constrained to tender with immediate effect my irrevocable resignation as a member of the House of Representatives,” Co wrote, adding that he faced a “real, direct, grave and imminent threat” to his life and those of his family members.

Co also used the letter to respond to the September 22 complaint filed against him by Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, who accused him of masterminding last-minute insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), failing to justify his medical absences abroad, and allegedly benefitting from government contracts awarded to Sunwest, Inc.

The former House appropriations chair denied all accusations. He said the 2025 GAA was passed through the plenary and bicameral process, and eventually signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after “thorough scrutiny.” He argued it was “improbable, if not absolutely impossible” for him alone to insert billions into the budget without approval of both chambers.

On claims he failed to submit medical certificates during his absences, Co said his travel and leave requests had been approved by the House in the past without such requirement. He maintained he had been consulting doctors abroad since mid-2024 and continued to render service remotely.

He also denied allegations of “ostentatious display of wealth” and insisted neither he nor his family lived beyond their means.

As for speculation he may have received pecuniary interest from infrastructure projects, Co dismissed the claims as baseless. “No court of law has made a determination as to whether or not I acquired or received anything from such projects,” he said.

Co said he would clear his office at the Batasan Pambansa to allow a smooth transition for Ako Bicol’s substitute nominee.