Zaldy Co denies he was proponent of P13 billion in 2025 budget insertions

Former House appropriations panel chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co on Monday denied allegations that he made P13 billion worth of insertions in the P6.3-trillion national budget for 2025.

The allegations were made by Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco, who testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon inquiry on flood control projects.

"I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing held today. These unsubstantiated claims which attempt to implicate me are not only hearsay but are also politically motivated, designed to mislead the public and deflect accountability,” Co said.

He said that the 2025 General Appropriations Act and its provisions were not for him to decide alone since it was approved by both houses of Congress and signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

He also cited the President’s authority to veto, or remove, budget items before signing the Congress-approved budget into law.

“As mentioned during the Senate hearing, the President even vetoed some provisions and withheld the release of funds for projects,” he said.

Co, however, did not elaborate further, citing that the legality of the 2025 national budget is being questioned before the Supreme Court and is a subject of investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“For this reason, I am unable to comment on the matter to the public but reserve my right to comment on this matter, if and when, required by the courts where this matter is pending,” he said.

During their testimony at the Senate on Monday, contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya alleged that DPWH officials they had dealt with named Co as a recipient of a certain percentage in exchange for firms' being awarded contracts.

Co was also an incorporator of Sunwest Inc., the fifth leading flood control project contractor in the Bicol Region, before reportedly divesting from the firm.

In December 2024, Marcos removed P16.7 billion worth of flood control projects in the P6.3 trillion 2025 national budget.

Just last month, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto also told the House appropriations panel that the Executive branch withheld the release of at least P60 billion worth of funding under the 2025 national budget because it does not align with the administration's priorities. — BM, GMA Integrated News