Zaldy Co dares Ombudsman to probe Romualdez, Marcos

Former Ako Bicol party-list and House Appropriations chairman Zaldy Co on Saturday challenged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate former Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid his claim that they were behind the supposed P100 billion insertion in the 2025 national budget.

“Kaya ngayon ay hinahamon ko si Ombudsman Remulla kung seryoso talaga siya sa mga sinasabi niya sa kanyang press release na idadamay niya pati si Martin Romualdez kung magbibigay ako ng ebidensya. Patunayan niya ngayon ang pronouncement niya,” Co said in the second part of his “tell-all” video message released on Saturday.

(I challenge Ombudsman Remulla that if he is really serious about what he said in his press release, he will implicate Martin Romualdez if I provide evidence. He should now prove his pronouncement.)

“Imbestigahan niya ang fraternity brad at ang kanyang kaibigan na si Speaker Martin Romualdez kung talagang tutupad siya sa tungkulin niya,” the former lawmaker said.

(He should investigate his fraternity brother and friend Speaker Martin Romualdez to see if he is truly fulfilling his duty.)

As a reply, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a statement urging Co to submit his statements “through the proper process, so they may be examined with the seriousness they deserve.”

“If the intention is to help uncover the truth, then let us pursue it in the manner that leads to real and enforceable accountability - not through spectacle, but through the rules that govern us all,” the Ombudsman said.

“Because unlike the court of public opinion, the Office of the Ombudsman must evaluate every witness, cross-check every claim, and test credibility with rigor, not emotion. That is our mandate.  That is how we protect the public from falsehoods and the innocent from injustice,” added the Ombudsman.

Early this month, Remulla said that Romualdez could also be liable, at the very least, for gross negligence over the actions of Co.

The Ombudsman had said that while Romualdez is not a part of the Bicameral Conference Committee that reconciles the House and Senate versions of the proposed national budget, the former Speaker cannot be blameless over Co’s actions.

Romualdez, meanwhile, said his conscience "remains clear" amid allegations made by Co.

"My conscience remains clear. Throughout this inquiry, no public official, contractor, or witness has pointed to any wrongdoing on my part," said Romualdez in a statement. 

"I do not wish to comment on the recent statements and allegations made by former Rep. Zaldy Co because these were not made under oath and do not hold water in the court of law," added Romualdez. 

In the first part of his “tell-all” video message on Friday, Co accused Marcos and Romualdez of orchestrating the supposed insertion of P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 national budget during the bicam process late last year.

Marcos has brushed off Co's claim. 

“I don’t want to even dignify what he was saying,” Marcos said in a chance interview with reporters during his visit to typhoon-affected areas in Negros Occidental.

Presidential Communications Office's Acting Secretary, Dave Gomez, also again refuted Co's statements as he maintained that Co's allegations are a "bunch of hearsay."

"We may begin to sound like a broken record. What he is saying is a bunch of hearsay. Sabi nito, sabi ni ano. Hind- nag rewrite ng script sa second video kahit na kanal  na yung una," Gomez told reporters. 

"We continue to issue the same challenge. Come home, sign these under oath and face the music," he added. 

Meamwhile, Co also called on the Senate to investigate the P100-billion insertions, which he claimed was ordered by the President.

“Nananawagan din po ako sa Senado na investigahan ang P100 billion insersyo ni Presidente. Alam ko po na hindi gagawin ni Ombudsman Remulla ang hamon ko. Pero magaling ang Senado sa investigasyon at ako ay naniniwala na dahil sa kanila lalabas ang katotohanan,” the former lawmaker said.

(I also call on the Senate to investigate the President’s P100 billion insertion. I know that Ombudsman Remulla will not accept my challenge. But the Senate is good at investigations and I believe that because of them, the truth will come out.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News