Digitally altered images of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co have been circulating amid speculation about his whereabouts during the flood control corruption probe.
Several accounts on the Meta-owned Threads platform shared pictures claiming to show the congressman, alleging that he is in Madrid, Spain. The images depicted him with distressed expressions.
He was also shown accompanied by what appeared to be security detail.
One of the images featured the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel, a five-star property known for its blend of historic elegance and modern luxury.
“Zaldy Co at Madrid,” the caption read.
View on Threads
The post has garnered 1,500 likes, 529 shares, and over 240 replies so far, with many Filipinos suggesting that the images may have been generated by AI (artificial intelligence).
“I almost believed it. The power of AI. I was thinking if Co wanted to hide, he’d probably wear glasses and mask,” an online user said.
“Obnoxious, stop spreading lies! This is [sic] obviously AI-generated photos,” another commented.
“So AI, bruh,” a different online user wrote.
“AI pero sana totoooo!” another said.
“He really has to face the Filipino people. Regardless [of whether] this is AI or not,” a different online user said.
Another post also claims that Co was allegedly spotted in Portugal.
Zaldy Co allegedly spotted in Portugal seemingly not sick and not sitting on a wheelchair?
📸: ctto pic.twitter.com/Y4R9G7TsQn
— Talk2MyPalm🌴 (@kalokangmadame) October 6, 2025
According to the AI or Not detector, all the images posted on Threads are “likely AI generated.”
The same website also said that the image posted on the X platform was similarly “likely AI generated.”
The subject
Co, who flew to the United States for supposed medical purposes days before the Senate started its probe into the alleged anomalous flood control projects, already has his travel clearance revoked following his implication in the issue.
Last September 22, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy said that while he has no clue about the former congressman’s whereabouts, he was informed his letter had already reached Co.
Senate President Tito Sotto III also said that Co will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee about the flood control projects.
Co, who co-founded Sunwest Construction which was among the contractors that bagged the most number of flood control projects, was accused of proposing billions of pesos in insertions at the 2025 national budget that funded some alleged anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon also identified Sunwest as being behind five of the seven substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.
Co has denied claims of him receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects, saying they were “false and baseless.”
“I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum,” he said before.
The Palace said that the Department of Justice will ask the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a “blue notice” against Co.
Reports claim the former congressman entered Singapore on September 16 and departed on September 24 for Madrid, Spain.
