Will Zaldy Co Return to PH? Users on EveryX Prediction Markets Weigh In

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Amid the controversies involving resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), an event on predictions market platform EveryX is gauging public sentiment on whether he will return to the Philippines before November 1, 2025.

BitPinas is partnering with EveryX to add market sentiment data and predication-based insights to our crypto and web3 coverage.

Will Zaldy Co Return?

Currently, the votes are split on whether Co will return to the Philippines before the set date.

As of the October 13, 2025, 48% of the market’s participants forecast that Co will be back in the country by the deadline, while 52% believe he will remain abroad.

Photo for the Article - Will Zaldy Co Return to PH? Users on EveryX Prediction Markets Weigh In

The market’s rules state that the outcome will be settled as “Yes” if Co is officially confirmed to be physically present in the Philippines on or before 11:59 p.m. (PHT) on October 31, 2025. For the outcome to be valid, confirmation must come from at least one official source, such as the Bureau of Immigration, or a reputable national media outlet.

Background: The Controversy Surrounding Zaldy Co

Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, a businessman-turned-politician from Albay, is a co-founder of Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, a major government contractor that has reportedly secured ₱38 billion in public works projects between 2016 and 2024.

As former chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, he wielded significant influence over national budget allocations, including the controversial 2025 budget, where he was accused of inserting ₱13.8 billion in alleged “ghost” flood control projects.

According to a report, he left the country before the start of the 20th Congress, citing the need for medical treatment, and has not returned since. Bureau of Immigration records confirm that as of October 2025, Co remains abroad.

Reports (1, 2) suggest his last known departure was from New York in mid-September, with unverified sightings in Singapore, Spain, Dubai, and Portugal.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed Co under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order following revelations that his family firm, Sunwest, cornered most of the flood control projects under the DPWH. Testimonies from whistleblowers and contractors allege that Co masterminded a multibillion-peso kickback scheme, receiving portions of project funds through intermediaries and “ghost” contracts.

On September 29, 2025, Co resigned from Congress after receiving an ultimatum from House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to return to the country or face disciplinary action. In his resignation letter, Co claimed he stepped down due to “real, direct, and imminent threats” to his and his family’s safety and a “denial of due process.”

His exit effectively halted House Ethics proceedings but did not stop ongoing investigations by the DOJ, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

What is EveryX?

EveryX is a predictions market platform that lets users trade on real-world outcomes, from politics and crypto to esports tournaments with leverage.

According to its CEO, Hayate Matts, prediction markets serve as a modern alternative to traditional polling by reflecting what people truly believe, demonstrated through their financial participation.