Statement of Malacañang on Zaldy Co’s Remarks vs. Marcos Jr.
Malacañang reacted to the corruption accusations of Zaldy Co against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Recently, countless Filipinos were shocked by the claims of Zaldy Co. The resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative tagged Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the corruption issue in the Philippines.
According to Zaldy Co, he was allegedly told by then-Speaker Martin Romualdez to stay out of the country as instructed by Marcos Jr. He claimed that he allegedly trusted them that they will take care of him. However, according to him, he did not expect that he will be used as the “poster boy” in the administration’s fight against corruption.
Co was already out of the Philippines when contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya named him in the flood control mess. He was ordered by the House of Representatives to return to the country and face the accusations against him but he did not heed the call.
According to Co, he was worried over his safety. Instead of returning to the country and facing the allegations against him, he resigned from being the representative of Ako Bicol Partylist. Recently, he launched accusations against PBBM and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Zaldy Co claimed that Marcos Jr. allegedly ordered to insert a P100-billion worth of projects in the 2025 budget. Recently, Malacañang reacted to the claims of the resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative against the President and the former House Speaker.
Based on a post of News5 on social media, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that Zaldy Co’s alleged involvement in the flood control corruption issue is based on evidence and testimony. According to her, Co supposedly wants to make it appear like he’s the victim.
“Ang pagkakasangkot ng pangalan ni Zaldy Co ay bunga ng ebidensya, testimonya, at umano’y pagpapayaman na makikita sa ari-arian niya. Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang umiwas at iiwas ang sarili at mag-name drop kahit walang katibayan; Para mapalitaw na siya ang biktima, siya ay magtatahi ng maling kuwento laban sa ibang tao,” Castro said.
The Malacañang press official claimed that Zaldy Co’s statement ignited more questions instead of answering the questions about his role in the supposed anomalies. Based on the post, the Palace challenged him to return to the Philippines and make his testimony under oath.
“Bakit pasisimulan ni PBBM ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga, mag-establish ng ICI kung ang Pangulo ay may kinalaman dito? … Hindi obligasyon at walang papel ang Pangulo sa sinasabing insertions. Ang akusasyon… maaaring may maniwalang tao, kaya ngayon pa lamang ay binibigay namin sa inyo ang katotohanan,” the Palace official said.
Aside from tagging PBBM and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the corruption issue, Zaldy Co also released a list of the projects that were allegedly included in the supposed P100 billion budget inserted by Marcos Jr. in the 2025 budget.