CEBU 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco on Tuesday said the resignation of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co does not absolve him of alleged violations of House rules and existing laws, and stressed that accountability must extend to the party-list group he represented.
Frasco cited Section 141 (h) of the House Rules, which prohibits members from having any personal pecuniary interest in businesses directly benefiting from legislation they authored.
“As a shareholder of construction firms that secured government contracts funded by the General Appropriations Act, and as co-conspirator in the insertion of billions for projects that benefited himself and his cohorts, Co clearly breached this rule,” Frasco said.
The Cebu lawmaker argued that while Co’s resignation spared him from possible House sanctions, it also exposed “the weakness of our system,” since Ako Bicol Party-list continues to enjoy its congressional seat and privileges.
“This is not accountability. This is impunity,” he said, warning that allowing nominees to resign without repercussions for their party-list groups sets a “dangerous precedent.”
Frasco urged Congress to investigate Ako Bicol Party-list and impose sanctions, including possible disqualification, if warranted.
“To protect the integrity of our institutions, Ako Bicol Party-list must face investigation, sanction, and, if warranted, disqualification,” he said.
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