The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has sent a new subpoena to former House appropriations chairperson Zaldy Co for him to appear for its two hearings scheduled in November.
The ICI delivered the Oct. 20 subpoena to Co’s addresses in Pasig City and Bicol, ordering him to appear on November 11 and 12 at 9 a.m., ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said at a press briefing on Tuesday, October 28.
Co has yet to return to the Philippines and earlier snubbed the ICI’s first summons for him to attend its October 14 hearing.
That first subpoena to Co was sent alongside subpoenas to former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Both appeared before the ICI.
Co is being asked by the ICI to explain his role as chair of the House’s powerful appropriations committee, a position he held before stepping down in January.
The ICI initially shared that it had considered citing Co in contempt due to his refusal to show up, but decided not to do so due to a supposed difficulty in serving the first subpoena.
On Tuesday, Hosaka said that if Co fails to heed the ICI’s summons again, they would study if there is “enough basis” to pursue remedial measures, including whether to cite him in contempt.
Co has yet to return to the Philippines amid allegations he masterminded dubious insertions in the 2025 budget to allow for kickbacks in flood control projects. He has since denied these allegations.
The former lawmaker has been tagged by the Department of Justice as a person of interest.