Co accuses Marcos of P25B kickback that equates to lost public services

Resigned Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co alleged that President Marcos ordered the insertion of P100 billion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) last year to have a P25 billion as “SOP” or kickbacks, which could be allocated to other worth of projects transparently.

After the approval of the 2025 budget, Co asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) how much of the P100 billion insertion should be given to the Office of the President.

“What they told me is 25 percent. It means that 25 percent of the P100 billion is the SOP that should be given to BBM. In total, P25 billion went to President Bongbong Marcos,” Co stated.

The former lawmaker broke his months-long silence after being implicated in alleged corruption in flood control projects through a video statement initially posted on Nov. 14, followed by a second part on Nov. 15.

“Nagsimula ito noong tumawag si (Budget) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman sa akin noong nag-umpisa ang bicam budget process last year, 2024… Ang sabi niya, katatapos lang ng meeting nila ni Pangulo at may instructions na mag-insert o magpasok ng 100 billion worth of projects sa bicam. At sinabi pa ni Secretary Menah, you can confirm with Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin dahil magkasama sila sa meeting ni Pangulong BBM (Bongbong Marcos) noong araw na ‘yon,” Co said.

Co added that he informed then Speaker Martin Romualdez, who claimed he did not take part in the bicameral process because of manipulation about the alleged instructions of the President.

“The administration is using the entire resources of the country to keep me quiet. That he will shoot me if I talk. I will be used as a cover for a hole in their campaign against corruption,” he emphasized.

With this, Co challenged Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla to stick to his word that he would investigate Romualdez if the former provided evidence.

“He should now prove his statement that he will investigate his fraternity brother and his friend, Speaker Martin Romualdez, if he truly intends to fulfill his duty,” Co dared.

The Palace has since dismissed Co’s allegations as mere hearsay, while Romualdez has yet to address the allegations by his former lieutenant, who resigned his post in the House in September after emerging as a central figure in the flood control scandal.

Apart from his alleged involvement in the anomalies in the 2025 GAA, Co is also accused of benefiting from anomalous public works projects through his construction firm Sunwest Inc., one of the top flood control contractors in the country. He has yet to address these allegations.

This raises the attention of the Filipinos as the questionable spending could be utilized for opportunity cost, like Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) implementation of a variety of flood control projects to protect life and property from floods.