Palace denies hand in Zaldy Co’s removal as appropriations panel chair

MANILA – Malacañang has nothing to do with the removal of Ako Bikol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday.

“I have no opinion on that. That’s the discretion of the Congress,” Bersamin told reporters when asked to react to Co’s removal as chair of the powerful panel.

Co vacated the position after presidential son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, made the motion to declare the post vacant during the plenary session Monday.

No objections were heard when Marcos declared the post vacant.

Bersamin said the Palace is not meddling in the affairs of the House of Representatives.

“Wala, wala kaming kuwan diyan kasi executive kami (No, we don’t have a hand in that because we’re the executive branch),” he added when pressed further if Malacañang was behind the move.

Co said he had stepped down because of health reasons.

He said his role as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations has taken a toll on his health, hence the need to “prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for [his] well-being.”

Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo has been designated acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations. (PNA)

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