CBCP urges Zaldy Co to return to PH, file charges

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday urged former Ako Bicol party-list Representative and House Appropriations chairman Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and back his accusations against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“If his accusations are indeed credible and substantial, we urge him to return to the country and file his charges before the proper authorities, under oath, and supported by verifiable evidence,” the CBCP said.

Co, in a video message on Friday, accused the President and Romualdez as well as some members of the Cabinet of orchestrating the supposed insertion of P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 national budget during the bicam process late last year.

The Palace has since denied Co’s accusations, calling it pure hearsay.

EXPLAINER: What are ‘insertions’ in the budget process? 

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also dismissed the former lawmaker’s claims, saying that the bicam process was “purely under the power of the legislature.

The CBCP, moreover, said that “public declarations on social media, however alarming, cannot take the place of formal testimony in the appropriate legal venues.”

“For the good of the nation, such claims must be examined transparently, impartially, and in accordance with the rule of law,” it said.

The Catholic bishops’ group also cautioned against “political exploitation” of Co’s allegations, emphasizing that when it was released at sensitive moments, it might “inflame public sentiment or be used to influence political outcomes.”

“The Filipino people deserve clarity, not conjecture; truth, not rumor; accountability, not manipulation,” the CBCP said.

“We appeal to all parties involved to act with honesty, courage, and responsibility. May every step taken in this matter serve the cause of justice and strengthen-rather than erode-our people's trust in the institutions tasked with safeguarding our democracy,” it said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News