MANILA, Philippines – Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co has released a nearly six-minute video detailing explosive allegations involving high-ranking government officials, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Leyte 1st Rep. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Co claims there was a direct instruction to insert ₱100 billion into the national budget during the bicameral conference committee deliberations.
Co alleged that after returning from a medical trip in the United States, he was told not to come home.
“Former Speaker Martin Romualdez said, ‘Stay out of the country. You will be well taken care of as instructed by the President,’” he said.
Co further claimed he was used as a “fall guy” while efforts were allegedly made to silence him. He added that he is ready to reveal documents and names that he says will prove the transactions took place.
According to Co, President Marcos and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman allegedly met in 2024 to discuss the supposed ₱100-billion budget insertions.
He also linked Marcos to alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.
“Noon, naniniwala pa ako sa kanila kaya hindi ako bumalik… Pero hindi ko alam na ang ibig pala nilang sabihin sa aalagaan ka namin ay gagamitin ako bilang panakip-butas sa kanilang kampanya laban sa korupsyon,” he said.
"Right after our conversation, tinawagan ko po si dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at nireport ko ang instructions ng presidente to insert the ₱100-billion worth projects at sinabi niya sa akin 'what a president's wants, gets.'
After ng ilang araw, nag-set po ng meeting si Sec. Amenah Pangandaman at Usec. Adrian Bersamin sa amin ni dating Speaker Martin Romualdez sa Aguado Building in front of gate 4 ng Malacañang at nandoon din po si Usec. Jojo Cadiz," he added.
"During the meeting, binigay po ni Usec. Adrian Bersamin ang listahan ng ₱100-billion worth. Tinanong ko po si Usec. Adrian kung saan galing ang listahan, ang sagot niya, galing kay PBBM mismo at binigay niya ito mula sa brown leather bag.”
"No'ng sinabi po ni Usec. Adrian Bersamin 'yong brown leather bag, naalala ko no'ng nasa Singapore kami, right after the elections May 2022, sa Hilton Hotel, kami ni dating Speaker Martin at ni PBBM habang pauwi pabalik ng Pilipinas hinabol ng PSG ang brown leather bag at sinabi ni PBBM, maiwan na lahat wag lang ang brown leather bag," Co said.
"Kaya naniwala ako na utos talaga ito ng pangulo. Pagkatapos ng ilang araw, I informed sina dating Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, Usec. Adrian Bersamin and Usec. Jojo Cadiz na kung puwede ₱50 billion lang ang ipasok sa programmed funds dahil sosobra ang DPWH funds versus sa DepEd.
In practice, hindi puwede na mas malaki ang budget ng DPWH kaysa Edukasyon. 'Yong balance na ₱50 billion ilagay na lang sa unprogrammed funds for the 2025 budget dahil Office of the President din ang nagre-release ng lahat ng unprogrammed funds.”
"Pagkatapos ng isang araw, tinawagan ako ni Sec. Amenah at sinabing ang mensahe ng pangulo, ipasok niyo 'yan dahil ipinangako na sa akin ni Speaker Martin 'yan at hindi na puwedeng baguhin. Kumbaga, ang utos ng hari ay hindi pwede mabali," Co said.
"Again, I informed the speaker and as clearance about the instructions ng Pangulo, at ang sabi niya, wala tayong magagawa. Kaya po nagtataka ako, kung bakit sinasabi ni Pangulo na hindi niya makilala ang budget. Samantalang lahat ng binawas at dinagdag sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno ay humihingi ng approval sa kaniya si Sec. Amenah Pangandaman."
As of writing, neither Malacañang nor Romualdez’s camp has issued a statement in response to the allegations.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express