EDITORIAL

Ninoy? Or Judas?

Today, Marcos is smug — smiles for the cameras, shakes hands, pretends all is well. But 2026? 2027? Panic hits.

DT

Zaldy Co. Others call him a hero, some die-hard Duterte people. Months ago, they’re saying, “Crucify Zaldy Co! Make him go home!” Now it’s “Protect him at all cost. Shield him, wrap him in gold, give him a medal!”

You got to stop smoking whatever you’re smoking.

At all cost? What cost? You’re not even paying income taxes. Protect him? From the law? The courts?

Zaldy: “March 2025 pa lang, nagpaparinig na sa akin si Speaker sa meeting na he will shoot me if I talk.”

And suddenly, they’re acting like Zaldy is going to step onto the tarmac and, bam, Ninoy moment. Ninoy went home ready to die for something. Zaldy will go home ready to deny everything. Big difference.

Zaldy “fears for his life.” Happens everytime a subpoena is nearby.

Are you brain-dead? You cheer for a man who only became interesting when he is useful to your obsession. You did it because it’s easier to worship someone you can hate Marcos and Romualdez with. That’s it. The standard. Applauding your own willingness to be conned.

And, get this, Zaldy says “I didn’t get a cent. All went to Marcos and Romualdez.”

Your nothing has more jets than the AFP, Zaldy. Testimony only matters if people believe you have skin in the game. The bigger the confession, the bigger the expected personal cost. Nobody in history pulls off a stunt that big for zero.

Did you ever consider that simply being in charge of billions gives you at least an indirect benefit? Perks, favors, influence, zero? Not even a golf invite?

The whole country knows if there’s money moving, everybody gets something. Even the guy guarding the gate gets a Chicken Joy bucket.

Zaldy tried to be the first rat to squeal, hoping he gets a whistleblower badge and a soft landing. Public anger is at 99 percent. All he had to do was whisper “Marcos did it” and boom. He knows we’re wired like this: If Marcos is involved, suddenly everything else looks small.

Political winds shift. He sees a Duterte implosion. He’s picking a side for 2028.

Zaldy is not scared of Marcos anymore. He has two years left, a lame duck, bleeding politically, abandoned by allies. Zaldy is applying early for protection under the next boss. “I hurt your enemy for you. Remember this when you become President, Sara.”

Might have walked into Sara’s camp like: “You protect me…or I’ll start remembering the names I forgot to mention.”

Sara Duterte. The ultimate shield. Strongest in the Philippines. Immune. Untouchable. Zaldy realized early: the smartest hiding place is behind the person whose fanbase will karate-chop anyone who touches you. He effectively became a political refugee in Saralandia.

He knows that when your primitive logic is swimming in diesel, you will forgive any sin as long as you kneecap Bongbong on the way down.

Enjoin Sara in her grudge and you don’t need bodyguards when you’re wrapped in a vendetta that’s been marinating for two years.

Once Sara assumes in 2028, the flood scandal becomes “a mess from the Marcos years.” And guess who suddenly becomes the star witness instead of the “mastermind”? Zaldy “Jetset Judas” Co. Too valuable a human evidence locker against the Dutertes’ jailers.

She doesn’t have to coach him. He’s already angry. The “perfect fall guy” already feels abandoned. Already believes Marcos threw him under the bus.

In Zaldy’s telling, Marcos expected: “Yes sir, I’ll take the blame.” But the President got: “Surprise, I’m telling everything! And the DDS loves me now!” If Zaldy talks, three more will talk. If three talk, 10 will.

Today, Marcos is smug. Smiles for the cameras, shakes hands, pretends all is well. But 2026? 2027? Panic hit.

A Zaldy protected by Sara. Armed with documents and can go full scorched earth when he’s no longer in power. He’ll remember the guy who “got nothing” just became everything.