Resigned Ako Bicol Representative and former House Appropriations Committee Chair Zaldy Co has broken his silence amid allegations linking him to supposed corruption in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.
In a video statement released by his office on Friday, November 14, Co accused President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and several cabinet members of orchestrating P100 billion budget insertions at the bicameral level.
“Para sa bawat Pilipino, alam ko na buo ang galit ninyo sa akin ngayon. Nauunawaan ko rin ang bakit, lalo na at malaki ang halagang nakataya. Pero bago kayo humusga, hayaan ninyong ipaliwanag ko ang buong katotohanan,” Co said.
Co described how he felt used as a scapegoat. “Ginawa nila akong poster boy ng kanilang kasinungalingan. Ngayon, hindi na ako mananahimik. Ilalabas ko ang lahat ng katotohanan. May resibo, may ebidensya, at may pangalan,” he said.
While he had left the country in July for a medical checkup and had planned to return after Marcos's State of the Nation Address (SONA), Romualdez reportedly called him and said, “Stay out of the country. You will be well taken care of, as instructed by the President.”
"Noong naniniwala pa ako sa kanila, kaya't hindi ako bumalik. Tumikom ang aking bibig, sumunod ako. Pero ang hindi ko alam, ang ibig pala nilang sabihin sa aalagaan ka namin ay gagamitin ako bilang panakip butas sa kanilang kampanya laban sa korapsyon," he added.
He claimed that Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman contacted him at the start of the Bicam process for the 2025 budget, relaying a directive from the President.
“Ang deliver papunta sa bahay nila Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at Speaker Martin Romualdez. Mag-insert o magpasok ng 100 billion worth of projects sa BICAM,” he said.
Co also said that he confirmed the instruction with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Usec. Adrian Bersamin, who was reportedly present with Marcos during the meeting.
Co said he tried to reduce the proposed amount, but was blocked.
“Sinabi ko, baka pwedeng 50 billion lang. Pero sinagot nila, hindi pwede, pinangako na ni Speaker Romualdez. What the President wants, he gets,” he said.
He also recounted a moment he interpreted as proof of the President’s personal involvement.
“Tinanong ko po si Usec. Adrian Bersamin kung saan galing ang listahan. Ang sagot niya, galing kay PBBM mismo at binigay niya ito mula sa brown leather bag. Noong sinabi niya ang brown leather bag, naalala ko noong nasa Singapore kami right after the elections of May 2022. Hinabol ng PSG ang bag at ang sabi ni PBBM, ‘Maiwan na lahat, huwag lang ang brown leather bag.’ Kaya naniwala ako na utos talaga ito ng Pangulo.”
Co spoke of fear for his safety while preparing to reveal these claims. “Sana po ay hindi nila ako mapatay bago ko mailabas ang lahat. Ginawa ko lang ang utos sa akin. Pero ngayon, handa na akong harapin ang lahat,” he said.
"Kaya po nagtataka ako kung bakit sinasabi ni Pangulo na hindi niya makilala ang budget. Samantalang lahat na binawas at dinagdag sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno ay humihingi ng approval sa kanya si Sec. Amenah Pangandaman," Co added.
Co’s remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of alleged anomalous DPWH projects.
