Win Gatchalian doubts Zaldy Co’s P100-B insertion claim

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday cast doubt on former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s allegation that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget during bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations.

Gatchalian said the National Expenditure Program (NEP)—the President’s official budget proposal—is prepared by the executive branch months before it is transmitted to Congress.

“Dahil ito (NEP) ay president's budget, ang gumawa nito ay Executive. Kung mayroong gustong proyekto ang presidente, inilalagay na nila 'yan sa National Expenditure Program pa lang," he said in an interview.

(Since this is the President’s budget, it’s the executive that drafts it. If the President wants certain projects, they’re already placed in the NEP,) 

Gatchalian issued the statement following allegations by Co that President Marcos ordered P100 billion in last-minute insertions into the 2025 national budget, and supposedly took up to P56 billion in kickbacks, aloing with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

According to the senator, introducing major changes at the bicam stage would disrupt the spending plan’s internal balance.

After reviewing the list of alleged insertions released by Co, Gatchalian said many of the items were minor, community-level road improvements—including some in his home city of Valenzuela.

“Kaya nagtataka ako, kung maglalagay/mag-i-insert ang Pangulo ng project bakit sa secondary roads at hindi sa superhighways o malalaking kalsada?” he pointed out.

(That’s why I find it odd. If the President were to add projects, why would they be small secondary roads instead of superhighways or major infrastructure?)

He also cited President Marcos’ earlier veto of P190 billion worth of items in the proposed budget—some of which were the same projects Co questioned.

“Parang hindi logical na ive-veto mo ang sariling project mo (It seems illogical to veto your own project)," he said.

Asked whether the executive branch can push for amendments during bicam, the senator clarified: "Technically, pwedeng magsingit ang Kongreso, Senado, pwede ring pakiusapan ng Executive ang Legislative [na magsingit sa bicam]. Pero Executive ang magsisingit, hindi pwede dahil ang budget process ay purely legislative."

(Technically, Congress and the Senate can propose insertions, and the executive may request. But the executive itself inserting projects—that’s not allowed because the budget process at that stage is purely legislative.)

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier denied Co’s claim that she sought P100 billion in insertions on the President’s instructions. Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez likewise dismissed the allegations as “pure hearsay.”

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate finance committee, said the chamber is rolling out reforms to boost transparency and prevent last-minute changes.

“Importante na makita ng taumbayan o experts sa budget ang takbo ng budget (It’s important for the public and budget experts to see how the budget flows)," he said.

He said his committee also recently launched the Senate Budget Transparency Portal, which gives public access to the General Appropriations Bill and all proposed amendments.

He added that for the 2026 budget, the Senate will require more detailed data from the Department of Public Works and Highways, including station numbers and exact project locations.

Gatchalian also pushed to increase funding for the judiciary to help resolve graft cases faster.

“Our local courts need support. Even if cases are filed, if they take years to finish, people will eventually forget,” he said.

He added that he is open to the possibility that senators, as "project proponents" would be implicated in the public works scandal.

“Basta 'wag gawin sa loob ng Senado ang pag-aresto sakaling may lumabas na warrant of arrest laban sa ilang senador,” he said in jest.

(Just don’t carry out arrests inside the Senate if warrants happen to come out against some senators.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News