Something smells fishy with Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s affairs – first the alleged ties to anomalous flood control projects, and now, reportedly trying to influence a government agency for fish import permits. Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday disclosed before lawmakers that Co forced the DA to issue importation permits to his three companies engaged in the business of fishing. “We were being forced at the time to give him 3,000 containers of fish, which I did not agree to,” Tiu Laurel said.

Porcalla, D., Cariaso, B., Bayoran, G., & Clapano, J. R. (2025, September 17). DA chief tags Co in fish import allocations. The Philippine Star, p. 4.