House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong said allegations made by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co will lack merit unless these are presented through proper legal channels.

Adiong said it is time for Co to substantiate his “explosive” claims against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in connection with the alleged multibillion-peso flood control anomaly.

Asked what he expects upon Co’s return to the Philippines from Czech authorities, Adiong said the former lawmaker should subject himself to legal proceedings and testify under oath.

“I will be expecting that he will be taking his oath, he will subscribe to legal avenues for his allegations to be officially accepted and be accommodated as one of the evidences that will be presented before the courts,” Adiong said in an online interview Monday.

“That’s the only way the Filipino people can take him seriously, otherwise, wala eh, hindi siya under oath,” he added.

Co has made claims of alleged irregularities in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which some critics have described as flawed.

Despite the allegations, Adiong maintained that the budget underwent the standard legislative process in the House, with the Departments of Education, Health and Agriculture receiving the largest allocations.

He added that he remains confident the truth will emerge through due process.

“I also want the truth to come out. That’s why I believe in the process. I believe in the legal process by which these investigations are taking place,” he said.

Adiong also said testimonies from key figures, including Romualdez, former Senate President Francis Escudero and former Senate Finance Committee chair Grace Poe, would be needed to establish accountability.

He stressed that Co’s allegations alone would not be enough to build a case.