Representative Elizaldy Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations on September 14, 2022, on the proposed P666.25 billion budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) for fiscal year 2023. Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/File

MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday denied having a hand in the removal of AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co from his post as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations. 

"It's the discretion of the Congress," said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during the sidelines of the Open Government Partnership media launch in Manila. 

"Wala kaming kuwan diyan kasi executive kami," Bersamin added. 

During the resumption of the House plenary session on Monday, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos moved to declare Co's position vacant.

Co later said he stepped down as the panel's chairperson due to "pressing health concerns."

READ: Co removed as House Appropriations Committee chairperson

"The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being," he said in a statement.

"I have always served at the pleasure of the majority. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of steering the nation's budget in service of the House of the people and the constituents we represent," he added. 

The House Committee on Appropriations examines the annual national budget.

Marikina Second District Rep. Stella Quimbo will be the acting chairperson of the committee after Co stepped down.

Quimbo was the Senior Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

READ: Quimbo named House Appropriations Committee acting chair -- SecGen

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