Zaldy Co’s statements being studied, verified — DOJ official

The accusations made by former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over anomalous flood control projects are being verified, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said Monday.

“[H]is statements are being studied to determine its authenticity as the same was not done under oath,” Fadullon said in a message to GMA News Online.

Co, who is also being investigated due to alleged links into the anomalies, has yet to return to the Philippines, citing fears for his safety.

Over the weekend, he released a series of videos on social media accusing Marcos and Romualdez of being behind the corruption.

In his first video, he claimed that Marcos orchestrated P100 billion in “fund insertions” in the proposed 2025 national budget.

On Saturday, in his second video, Co alleged that he, his staff, and his security personnel personally delivered suitcases of cash to the two officials. He further claimed the President received 25% of the P100 billion as kickbacks.

Meanwhile, he accused Marcos and Romualdez of receiving up to P56 billion in kickbacks from flood control projects on Sunday.

Both Marcos and Romualdez have denied the allegations.

Earlier, Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said that Co’s statements will have to undergo the “routine evidentiary procedures” before they can be considered and held admissible.

Martinez also said that Co’s video message would not affect the timeline of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the flood control projects of the government.—AOL, GMA Integrated News