The Minority Bloc of the House of Representatives on Thursday said it is preparing to file a resolution seeking an investigation into President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following allegations raised by former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizalyd “Zaldy” Co regarding corruption in the national budget.

“Right from the start when the serious allegations came out in the video that was released, we already called for an investigation into it. Not only that, but all insertions in the 2024 budget and past budgets should be investigated; this must be investigated,” Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago said in Filipino.

In the videos, Co — who chaired the House Committee on Appropriations of the 19th Congress — claimed there was a “direct instruction from the President to insert a 100 billion worth of projects in the Bicam.”

On Wednesday, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo Lacson said former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo clarified that Co’s allegation that he delivered ₱25 billion in suitcases was false, stating that it was actually Bernardo who made the deliveries.

The Minority Bloc urged that Bernardo be immediately summoned by the appropriate congressional committees and required to testify under oath on whether Palace officials were involved.

The bloc also questioned what they described as premature statements clearing the President of involvement.

According to ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, the President’s name being mentioned warrants deeper inquiry, not exoneration.

“It needs to be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated whether this was truly ordered by the President, instead of concluding right away that the President had no involvement here. And that it was just, his name was merely used,” Tinio said in Filipino.

“It is premature to say there is no involvement—it should further push us to deepen the investigation. If that is not done, then a cover-up is what is happening,” he added.

Rep. Elago likewise questioned claims that Marcos had no knowledge of budget irregularities.

“Even at the unprogrammed funds, nothing would be released, nothing would be released without the authority of the President,” she said. “That's why besides being hard to believe, it's truly improbable that there is no involvement.”

The Minority Bloc also raised concerns over why the Ombudsman’s ongoing investigation does not include the President, warning that failure to pursue all leads would “signal a cover-up.”

On Wednesday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said they would also examine allegations against the President, although he dismissed the claims as “illogical.”

“It's illogical because it's the President's budget. They prepared it prior to giving it to Congress. Why would you now do something like that?” Remulla said.