Manila, Philippines – In the third part of his videotaped statement, resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co called on the Senate to investigate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s P100 Million insertion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The former lawmaker insisted that the administration is only using him to cover up their alleged anomalous budget insertion, along with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Co strongly denied the information allegedly provided by DPWH Official Henry Alcantara to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) that 21 Billion pesos was pocketed from kickbacks.
According to Co, the actual figure was P56 Billion which purportedly went to President Marcos and Romualdez.
The Malacañang Palace previously denied claims of the former lawmaker accusing the president.
According to Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro, the chief executive is also unruffled by the accusations against him.
Castro insisted that President Marcos vetoed P194-M in the 2025 national budget over questionable insertions.
House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Representative Ronnie Puno, meanwhile, said Co’s statement was outrageous, noting that Co is the one hiding, and that he is also the one avoiding questions.
Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia also defended the chief executive and said that Co has no solid basis for his accusations.
The group challenged Co, saying that the former lawmaker should release evidences and face the allegations against him here in the Philippines.
VP DUTERTE SAYS MARCOS FACES ‘PROFOUND CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE’
Along with the three-day protest action against corruption and the call for transparency, Vice President Sara Duterte said that the president is facing a deep crisis due to the involvement of his name in corruption.
The vice president explained that one of the reasons why she resigned as education secretary, because she learned how the House of Representatives was manipulating national funds.
Several progressive groups plan to hold a Trillion Peso March, anew, on November 30 at the People Power Monument.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News