JANUARY 28, 2026 — The flood control scandal just got messier. Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, who resigned from Congress and fled abroad last year, allegedly confided to lawyer Jacinto Paras that his “days were numbered” because First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos had turned against him. Paras relayed this revelation only now, in a radio interview over Abante Radyo’s “Cong Radyo” last January 24.

“On one occasion, sinasabi ni Zaldy Co na, ‘Pare, my days are numbered. Mukhang bibirahin na ako nila ni Liza at ni Sandro dahil kulang daw ’yung binibigay ko sa kanila,’” Paras said.

(On one occasion, Zaldy Co said, ‘Bro, my days are numbered. Looks like Liza and Sandro are going to hit me because they say I’m not giving them enough.’)

Paras added that Co believed the mother-and-son tandem suspected him of pocketing a bigger share of alleged kickbacks tied to government funds. 

“Parang nagdududa ’yung mag-ina na tinatago niya ’yung … siya ’yung yumayaman at hindi nagbibigay nang tama sa kanila,” Paras explained.

(It seemed the mother and son suspected he was hiding funds … that he was getting rich himself and not giving them their proper share.)

Co’s sudden exit from Congress came after he was implicated in questionable insertions in the proposed 2025 national budget. Authorities say he is now in Portugal, complicating efforts to bring him back since the Philippines has no extradition treaty with that country — plus, Co reportedly holds a Portuguese passport.

If these claims are true, then we’re staring at a scandal that potentially reaches the very heart of power. On the other hand, if they’re false, why hasn’t there been a clear and categorical denial? We can’t help but wonder if this is just another chapter in the endless saga of corruption allegations.

Every peso lost to kickbacks means weaker flood control projects, more homes underwater, and more lives disrupted.

Do you think there’s a grain of truth here worth digging into, or is this just Zaldy Co’s desperate ploy to drag everyone down with him?

(Image: Liza Marcos | Facebook)