Malacañang on Friday dismissed former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s allegations linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Dave Gomez refuted the claims made in Co’s viral video, saying, “These wild accusations are completely without basis in fact.”
Gomez emphasized that it was President Marcos who first exposed the irregularities involving flood control projects, contradicting Co’s statement that the Chief Executive ordered budget insertions.
In the five-minute video posted on Facebook, Co alleged that Marcos—through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman—directed him to insert P100 billion into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget during the 2024 bicameral conference for the 2025 budget.
Pangandaman explained that all instructions from the Chief Executive are already reflected in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), known as the “President’s Budget,” before it is submitted to Congress.
“Once the NEP is finalized, the President no longer takes part in deliberations,” she said, noting that the 2025 national budget amounts to P6.352 trillion.
“We reject any insinuations about it. The BICAM is purely under the power of the legislature. We respect and strictly follow the budget process and all our actions are above board,” Pangandaman added.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro also accused Co of “fabricating false stories” to appear innocent, advising the public to remain cautious.
“To save himself from allegations of stealing from the public coffers and to portray himself as the victim,” she said.
Aside from the President, Co also implicated former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the supposed insertions.
Gomez urged Co to return to the Philippines and face the allegations before the proper authorities.
He said Co must “air his side on the issue under oath with the proper judicial authorities.”
Castro was more direct, saying, “Because Zaldy Co’s world is shrinking, he needs to evade and distance himself by name-dropping, even if there is no proof and his only source is own saliva.”