PBBM shrugs off corruption raps

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shrugged off the “bombshell” allegations that former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co dropped on Friday. His response, however, was not what anyone expected.

On Saturday, while on a visit to Negros Occidental, which was hit by typhoon “Tino,” Marcos faced the media and was asked about the statements of Co.

“I don’t want to even dignify what he was saying,” he said.

In a video released on Friday, Co accused Marcos and his cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez, of ordering a P100-billion insertion into the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025, or the national budget.

Malacañang has since refuted the claim, calling it “pure hearsay.”

Less than 24 hours after Co released Part 1 of his video message, he uploaded the second part on his social media page.

Co confirmed “surprise” whistleblower Orly Guteza’s testimony that suitcases containing money were delivered to Marcos and Romualdez.

Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Dave Gomez said Palace officials may sound like a broken record at this point, reiterating their response on Friday that debunked Co’s claims as “hearsay.”

“He didn’t rewrite the script for the second video even though the first one was nothing but trash,” Gomez said.

“We continue to issue the same challenge. Come home, sign these under oath, and face the music,” he added.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon defended the President from the allegations of Co.

“Why would you do all this? Why would you form an independent commission? Why would you say that everyone who should be held accountable should be held accountable? And why would you say that before Christmas someone will definitely be in jail?” Dizon said.

Revelations ‘choreographed’

Noticing the suspicious timing of Co’s second video, a political analyst from the University of the Philippines (UP) said his revelations were seemingly “orchestrated.”

“What is suspicious about it is the timing. It seems a bit choreographed. It’s like there’s an agenda. We all know it looks like he wants to save himself,” said UP Political Science Department Professor Antonio Contreras.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson called Co’s charges “unbearable.”

Lacson said Co’s video statement has no probative value because it was not made under oath.

He added that it makes no sense for President Marcos to insert projects during the bicameral conference committee when he could have done so in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The veteran lawmaker pointed out that Marcos himself vetoed P26 billion worth of public works projects.

Even opposition lawmakers hewed to the Malacañang line, such as Mamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno, who both urged Co to come home and prove his accusations under oath.

Meanwhile, the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement with their chairman emeritus, Jose Antonio Goitia, urged Co to present his list of evidence to substantiate his claims.

The civic leader said the documents he released listed projects and amounts, items commonly found in the national budget, but contained no directive from Malacañang or any communication showing that the President ordered such insertions, stressing that evidence, not theatrics, must guide the public judgment.

A recent national security assessment observed that the timing of Co’s revelations aligned with rallies organized by various blocs seeking to put pressure on the administration.

Analysts warned that these events may be part of a broader effort to destabilize the government by spreading misleading narratives targeted at the President. While the assessment did not accuse any group of illegal activity, it underscored the need for fact-based scrutiny rather than reacting to orchestrated timing or political noise.

CBCP calls for truth

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called for truth, justice and due process following the video released by Co.

In a statement, the CBCP urged Co to return to the country and formally file the complaints he alleged — supported by proper evidence — stressing that a social media video is not sufficient.

“It is not enough to simply release a statement on social media. Such accusations should be brought to the attention of agencies with the power to investigate,” the CBCP said in Filipino.

The bishops also reminded the public to remain vigilant about online information, noting that such content can inflame emotions and influence political dynamics.

They emphasized that the Filipino people deserve truth, clarity, responsibility, and transparency — not speculation, gossip, or deception. The CBCP also called on the authorities conducting investigations to act with honesty, courage and accountability.