Co challenges ombudsman, questions PBBM’s denial of budget familiarity

Former ‘Ako Bicol’ partylist Rep. Zaldy Co escalated his claims in a new video release, saying he personally followed instructions allegedly cleared by Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. in what he describes as a “P100-billion insertion” in the 2025 national budget.

In the second part of the video released on Nov. 15, Co said he had relayed the President’s supposed instructions.

“Again, I informed the speaker and as clear as 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,” he added.

In his statements, Co claimed that budget adjustments across agencies required the approval of Budget Secretary Amenah ‘Mina’ Pangandaman, who he said had repeatedly assured them that changes were coordinated with the Chief Executive.

“Sinabi pa ni Sec. Mina, everything is cleared with the president, basta importante, pasok ang pondo na request ng pangulo.The following day, sinabi ni Sec. Mina, approved na si Presidente BBM sa lahat na binawasan na ahensya. Masaya na ang pangulo dahil naipasok ang gusto niyang 100 billion insertion,” Co justified.

He said that no portion of the insertion went to him and that all of it went to the president’s and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s residences, supporting the allegations made by former marine sergeant and whistleblower Orly Guteza.

“Ako lang at ang aking mga tao, sila Paul Estrada, Mark Ticsay, at ang aking mga security, ang nag-deliver papunta sa bahay nila Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at Speaker Martin Romualdez, sa North Forbes Park, South Forbes Park, hanggang sa Malacanang. Yung mga deliveries po ay merong record ang aking mga tao….Totoo din po ang sinasabi ni Orly Gotesa na nag-deliver siya sa Malacanang nung siya ay nasa senado,” the former representative uttered.

After the approval of the 2025 General Appropriations Act, he asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) about what amount must be turned over to the Office of the President. 

“Ang ibig sabihin nito, 25% ng 100 billion ang SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) na kailangan ibigay kay BBM mismo. In total, 25 billion ang napunta kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” the former lawmaker addressed.

Meanwhile, Co publicly challenged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla to act on his earlier statements, referencing the official’s press releases. 

“Kaya ngayon ay hinahamon ko si Ombudsman Remulla… imbestigahan niya ang fraternity brad at ang kanyang kaibigan na si Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said, adding that the Ombudsman should also investigate the President.

Co said he thought a Senate investigation would reveal the truth and called on the Senate to look into the budget insertion anomaly. 

In a statement issued on Nov.15, the Office of the Ombudsman instructed him to formally submit evidence and go through the same procedure as all complainants.

“G. Co — umuwi kayo. Isumite ang inyong salaysay. Ipaberipika ang inyong mga pahayag. Sumailalim sa parehong proseso na pinagdadaanan ng lahat. Kung tunay na layunin ninyo ang hustisya, dito iyon magsisimula hindi sa ingay, kundi sa tamang proseso,” the office remarked.

The end of the said video stated that there will be a ‘part 3” of the statements by former lawmaker Co.