Billions have been poured into flood control, yet communities remain underwater. At the heart of the controversy is Congressman Elizaldy Co, owner of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. and a key player in the 2025 budget process, who joined Senate President Chiz Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in approving the record P900 billion infrastructure allocation—the largest in Philippine history. Now, questions are rising on whether Co holds the “missing link” in the country’s flood control fiasco.
Sunwest is one of 15 contractors that cornered 18 percent—or nearly ₱100 billion—worth of flood control projects over the past three years.
According to the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, the company secured 79 government projects valued at more than ₱10 billion, with several flagged for subpar quality and rated “poor and unsatisfactory.”
What initially appeared as routine allocations has erupted into a congressional firestorm. The ₱6.352 trillion 2025 national budget is under investigation after President Bongbong Marcos exposed alleged “insertions” tied to corruption, with Zaldy Co at the center.
Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco revealed that party-lists linked to Co—Ako Bicol, which he represents, and BHW Party-list, represented by his niece Angelica Natasha Co—received over ₱4 billion in allocations from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He further accused Co of securing ₱13 billion under his own name and slipping another ₱13.8 billion into the bicameral conference committee’s version of the 2025 budget.
“Over ₱2.295 billion for Ako Bicol, ₱2.064 billion for BHW, and ₱13 billion under Zaldy Co—aside from additional requests,” Tiangco said, questioning why Co has yet to answer under oath.
“Does this mean he is exempted from investigation? Where are the ‘no sacred cows’ they promised?” he asked.
Despite this historic infrastructure spending, severe flooding continues to plague provinces, raising doubts over whether the ₱900 billion allocation has truly served its purpose.
Critics argued that the billions of pesos meant to protect communities from disasters have instead fueled substandard and “ghost” flood control projects, with incomplete, poorly constructed, or non-existent works leaving residents exposed year after year.
Senator Grace Poe, then chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee, defended the 2025 budget, saying it was designed to strengthen national security, improve regional connectivity, and build disaster-resilient infrastructure.
“Every line of this budget is the result of our fight for the Filipino people. Each fund and program is designed to meet your needs,” Poe said.
During congressional hearings, former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan denied knowledge of the alleged insertions, prompting lawmakers like Tiangco to demand accountability.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr., chair of the House Public Works Committee, explained that while lawmakers can recommend projects, final decisions rest with implementing agencies. Still, he stressed that Co should answer for his role.
Where is Zaldy Co? According to House spokesperson Princess Abante he is currently in the United States for medical treatment.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko, he is currently out of the country. Nasa United States siya for medical treatment with appropriate travel documents,” she said. IMT
