Christopher Co | |
|---|---|
| Member of the House of Representatives for Ako Bicol | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019 Serving with Rodel Batocabe (2010–2018) Alfredo Garbin (2010–2013, 2016–2019) Ronald S. Ang (2018–2019) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Salcedo Co (1967-05-03) May 3, 1967 |
| Party | Ako Bicol (partylist) |
| Spouse | Lingling Altavano |
| Relations | Zaldy Co (brother) |
| Children | |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Known for | CEO and founder of Hi-Tone Construction |
Christopher "Kito" Salcedo Co (born May 3, 1967) is a Filipino businessman and politician who served as representative for Ako Bicol Partylist in the House of Representatives of the Philippines.
Early life
Christopher "Kito" Salcedo Co was born on May 3, 1967.[1]
Business career
Christopher Co along with his brother Zaldy founded the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation (SCDC) in 1997.[2][3] The business which later renamed as Sunwest Inc., diversified and became involved in the real estate, energy, and tourism industries.[3]
Christopher Co founded Hi-Tone Construction, a contractor which builds flood control and road projects for the Department of Public Works and Highways.[3] Both Sunwest and Hi-Tone have been subject to scrutiny in the 2025 flood control projects controversy.[4] Additionally, Hi-Tone handled the rehabilitation project of Peñaranda Park in Legazpi, Albay. The roofing of then-unfinished stage of the project collapsed on August 30, 2025 amid heavy rains, injuring six people who sought shelter there.[5] The contractor subsequently responded they had given financial assistance to five of the victims, and claimed they were supposed to "reinspect" the project a week before the incident.[6]
Political career
Ako Bicol won three seats at the 2010 elections. Among those who filled the seats was Christopher Co.[7]
In 2019, his brother Zaldy Co has replaced his place in Ako Bicol.[3]
Christopher Co ran in the 2025 elections and vied for the seat of Albay's 2nd district. He promised to focus on agriculture, employment, education as well as the rehabilitation of the Albay Electric Cooperative and solving traffic and water supply problems in the province.[8] He lost to Carlos Loria.[9]
In February 2025, Kontra Daya stated that Ako Bicol was among the 86 out of 155 paty-list groups running in the elections that do not represent the poor or the marginalized, pointing out Ako Bicol's links to big businesses. The Co family has also been described as a political dynasty that includes Christopher Co, Zaldy Co, Diday Co, and Natasha Co. The family runs quarrying operations in Albay, which the Catholic Diocese of Legazpi blames for the destruction of mountains and the 2024 floods during typhoons Kristine and Pepito.[10]
Personal life
Christopher Co's daughter Claudine was an influencer.[11] Claudine Co deactivated her social media accounts after her lavish lifestyle came to wider public attention amid the 2025 flood control project controversy.[4][12] His other daughter, Natasha, served in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025 as the representative of BHW Party-list.[13]
References
- ^ "Christopher Salcedo Co". Rappler. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ De Leon, Dwight; Valmonte, Kaycee (March 7, 2025). "Mapping the scandal-plagued business fortunes of Zaldy Co". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Baclig, Cristina Eloisa (September 18, 2025). "The congressman and the billions: Tracing the power of Zaldy Co". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Acar, Aedrianne. "Who is Claudine Co? The name all over social media". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Labalan, Bobby (September 1, 2025). "Albay stage roof collapses; project handled by firm in flood-control controversy". Rappler. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ Cabral, Angelica (September 1, 2025). "Kontraktor nagpaliwanag sa bumagsak na bubong ng stage". Abante News Tonite (in Filipino). Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ "Ako Bicol, 3 others disqualified". The Philippine Star. October 11, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Calipay, Connie (October 8, 2024). "2 aspiring lawmakers, mayor file COC in Albay". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Tolosa, James (May 14, 2025). "Zaldy Co's brother loses in Albay congressional race" [Contractor explains collapsed stage roof]. Politko Bicol. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Balonzo, Reinnard; Armeña, Rosmae Ysabel (April 26, 2025). "In typhoon-hit Bicol, political clans aiding victims backed projects blamed for flooding". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ Bravo, Frances Karmel. "Who is Claudine Co?". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Acar, Aedrianne; Geli, Bianca. "'Not THAT Co': Camille Co clarifies link to controversial Co family". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ "House of Representatives, 19th Congress". Retrieved September 28, 2025.
