The ongoing investigation into one of the nation’s largest-ever corruption scandals, involving billions in mismanaged flood control funds, has reached a terrifying new inflection point. The crisis erupted into a full-blown political firestorm following the stunning public statements of Congressman Toby Tiangco. Once considered a firm part of the political establishment, Tiangco has now delivered an alarming ultimatum to the government, warning that a failure to immediately repatriate the key person of interest, Zaldy Co, will not just lead to political embarrassment, but to potential national chaos and a complete breakdown of public trust.

This controversy is no longer a simple legal inquiry; it has transformed into a high-stakes standoff between the public’s furious demand for accountability and the powerful forces allegedly maneuvering to protect their allies.

The Staggering Warning: Do Not Test the People’s Patience

Congressman Tiangco’s statement was clear, unequivocal, and carried the weight of a severe threat to public order. When speaking about the necessity of bringing Zaldy Co back to face questions regarding the massive fraud, Tiangco stressed that the public’s sentiment is deeply, dangerously invested in the outcome.

The politician articulated a direct pathway to destabilization: the moment the government indicates that Zaldy Co needs to return—and then fails to actually bring him back—that failure will be the final straw. “Let’s not test the patience of the people,” Tiangco urgently warned. He believes this inaction would instantly confirm the worst fears of the public, leading them to “doubt the sincerity of the investigation” and triggering an angry public revolt.

Tiangco is explicitly framing the failure to act as a National Security Issue, arguing that the immense, sustained public anger over the scandal could be easily exploited by “bad elements” to destabilize the government. This dramatic shift elevates the entire Zaldy Co situation from a corruption case to a crisis of governance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in the Crosshairs

What stunned observers was not just Tiangco’s warning, but his aggressive challenge to the government agencies seemingly obstructing Co’s return, specifically the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Tiangco pointed out a glaring double standard, asking why the DFA and other government bodies appeared to be “defending” Zaldy Co by claiming they cannot simply cancel his passport. The Congressman argued that the DFA possesses the clear legal authority under the Passport Act (citing R.A. 11983) to revoke Co’s travel document on grounds of national security—a threshold Tiangco insists has already been met due to the widespread public outrage and potential for mass movements.

In the eyes of the public and Tiangco, the refusal by the DFA to use its power to force Co’s return is being interpreted as a deliberate, high-level maneuver to keep him away from the investigation. This official reluctance feeds the public narrative that the very administration tasked with seeking justice is, in fact, running interference for the accused.

The ICI: A “Smoke Screen” for Political Allies?

Tiangco’s frustration extended to the Independent Commission Investigating (ICI), a body established to probe the scandal. Although Tiangco himself has cooperated by providing process and system details, he appeared deeply disillusioned with the commission’s direction.

The video commentary surrounding Tiangco’s remarks suggests a strong public and political suspicion: the ICI is merely a “smoke screen.” Critics allege that the true intention of those controlling the investigation is to deliberately “delay, confuse, and prolong” the proceedings to allow the public to forget the immense scale of the corruption. The goal, according to this narrative, is to avoid implicating high-ranking political allies—specifically naming figures like Martin Romualdez, whom the critics accuse of being a “bad person” and the true source of the nation’s political woes.

The commentator’s scathing remarks suggest that the ICI, despite its high-profile members, is intentionally dragging its feet, feigning ignorance about established government processes to stall the gathering of solid evidence against the alleged masterminds. This collective sense of political betrayal has solidified the public’s belief that powerful individuals are effectively immune from justice.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: The Public Demand

The political pressure cooker is intensifying because the names of individuals allegedly responsible are already cemented in the public consciousness—names like Zaldy Co, Don Gonzalez, and other political figures. For the average citizen, the evidence is simple: the extravagant, unexplained lifestyle of the accused is proof enough.

Tiangco’s courage to “break ranks” and speak with such urgency provides a voice to this overwhelming public sentiment. He is effectively stating that the traditional legal process is insufficient to manage a crisis of this magnitude; the government must take extraordinary, unambiguous action—like revoking a passport based on national security—to demonstrate its commitment to the people.

The consequence of inaction, as Tiangco clearly outlines, is dire. If Zaldy Co is allowed to secure a passport from a country without an extradition treaty, he may be gone forever, taking the truth and accountability with him. In the eyes of the public, this would be an unforgivable political crime, validating the suspicion that the entire investigation was a cynical deception designed to protect the powerful, and confirming that the ultimate authority—the people—has been betrayed.

The coming weeks will reveal whether the government heeds the stark warning of Congressman Tiangco, or if it will choose to test the patience of a populace already furious over the catastrophic costs of high-level political corruption.