Co’s claims questioned ahead of INC rally; suspected as destabilization move

Opposition lawmakers and an anti-corruption group on Saturday cast doubt on the kickback claims of resigned Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co against the Marcos administration, suggesting they may be a veiled attempt to destabilize the government and install Vice President Sara Duterte to the highest office. 

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said the timing of the upload of Co’s video was suspicious and appeared to be synchronized with the three-day rally of Iglesia Ni Cristo from 16 to 18 November. 

The videos in which the former lawmaker dropped the bombshell revelation were uploaded to his Facebook page on Friday and Saturday, ahead of the anti-corruption movement at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. 

“What is the intent behind this timing? After hiding for several months, suddenly, a few days before the big rally on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, this comes out? Could this be in aid of destabilization?” Cendaña said in Filipino in an interview. 

The minority lawmaker explained that while Malacañang has a lot of explaining to do to counter Co’s allegations that President Marcos Jr. received P25 billion in kickbacks from the P100 billion worth of alleged insertions in this year’s budget, he suspected that Co’s so-called testimony may be manipulated, designed to create political instability that may be exploited by pro-Duterte groups to bring the VP into the presidency.

“We can sense that this will definitely be used by forces that want Sara Duterte to sit as president and that would require unsitting President BBM,” he continued. 

Lawyer Howard Calleja, spokesperson of the Trillion Peso March Movement, also suspected the authenticity of the uploaded videos. 

He argued that the fact that Co’s purported testimony was not made under oath raises serious doubts about its credibility. 

“If he wants it to carry legal substance or weight, he needs to do it under oath and has to prove it in person; it can't just be on video,” Calleja said in Filipino in a separate interview, adding that the former lawmaker could swear an oath at the embassy or consulate of a country where he is currently hiding.

Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima contended that Co must return to the country and face the corruption charges against him, asserting that his alleged testimonies and evidence against the administration will not be admissible in court unless he swears them in a proper forum.

She also did not buy Co’s claims that he never received any kickbacks in flood control projects and was only used as a scapegoat of Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez, rejecting it as “unbelievable.”

“The people want the whole truth. Solid evidence for strong cases; no hand-washing, no cover-ups. No hidden agenda,” she stressed. 

According to Cendaña, Co’s testimonies are nothing but “noise” and will only be considered valid once he returns from hiding abroad and presents such evidence in the court. 

“Let's not be swayed, but at the same time let's remain vigilant because our fight for accountability continues...whether it’s in the Marcos administration or in the Duterte forces,” he said.

VP Duterte, who is still embroiled in a legal dispute involving an impeachment case pending before the Supreme Court, has repeatedly hinted at succeeding his ally-turned-foe Marcos in the 2028 election.