Jan Franz Chan proclaimed as Ako Bicol rep after Zaldy Co’s resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Jan Franz Chan has been officially proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as a representative of Ako Bicol party-list following the resignation of its first nominee, Zaldy Co, amid allegations of the latter’s involvement in the flood control mess in the country. 

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, Commissioners Noli Pipo, Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Rey Bulay and Ernesto Maceda Jr. presided over the proclamation at the Comelec main office session hall.

READ: Zaldy Co resigns as Ako Bicol lawmaker

The party-list earned two seats in the 2025 midterm elections, which guaranteed Co and the second nominee, Alfred Garbin, seats in the House of Representatives.

The certificates of nomination of the party-list showed that Chan was named as the third nominee. 

According to the Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-list System Act, “in case of vacancy in seats reserved for party-list representatives, the vacancy shall be automatically filled by the next representative from the list of nominees in the order submitted to the COMELEC by the same party, organization or coalition, who shall serve for the unexpired term.”

READ: Zaldy Co won’t come home, cites threats

Chan’s certificate of acceptance of nomination showed that he is a lawyer and a real estate broker. 

Co resigned from his post last September, citing “the real, direct, grave and imminent threat” to him and to “the lives of my family members.” /apl