MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his “deep disappointment” and “grave concern” following a recent court decision granting temporary liberty to AKO Bicol Party-list Representative and House Appropriations Chair Zaldy Co.
Through a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Chief Executive noted that the release of the high-profile lawmaker—who has been at the center of several high-stakes legal battles—comes as a surprise to the administration’s anti-corruption and judicial reform efforts.
The PCO emphasized that while the Executive branch respects the independence of the Judiciary, the President believes that the evidence presented in the ongoing cases against Co was “substantial enough” to warrant continued detention.
“The President is disappointed by this turn of events,” the PCO statement read. “We have always stood for the principle that no one is above the law. The release of Congressman Co, even on a temporary basis, sends a confusing signal to our citizens regarding the administration’s commitment to accountability.”
Zaldy Co was granted release after a local court approved his petition for bail (or a motion for release based on specific legal technicalities, depending on the latest case updates). The court cited “insufficient evidence of flight risk” and the lawmaker’s “constitutional right to post bail” for certain offenses.
Co’s legal team has maintained his innocence, describing the charges against him as “politically motivated” and “devoid of merit.” They welcomed the court’s decision as a victory for due process.
Analysts suggest that the President’s public expression of disappointment marks a rare instance of Malacañang directly commenting on an active judicial outcome involving a member of Congress. Zaldy Co is a key figure in the House of Representatives, and his release is expected to stir the already volatile political dynamics between the Executive and Legislative branches.
- The Appropriations Factor: As the chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Co holds significant sway over the national budget. His legal status has created a cloud of uncertainty over upcoming budget deliberations for the next fiscal year.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already been instructed to review the court order and explore all available legal remedies, including the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration.
“We will not rest until the proper legal standards are applied,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reportedly stated following the President’s remarks. “Our prosecutors have worked tirelessly on this case, and we believe the merits speak for themselves.”
The news has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some see the release as a failure of the justice system to hold powerful figures accountable, others view the President’s commentary as an encroachment on judicial independence.
As Zaldy Co prepares to resume his duties in the House, the administration is left to manage the fallout of a legal decision that has clearly caught the highest office in the land off guard.