House probe on Zaldy Co’s allegations vs. Marcos, Romualdez sought

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has pushed for a congressional inquiry on former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s allegation that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of items in the 2025 national budget.

In House Resolution 488 filed on Tuesday, Duterte said Co’s claims against Marcos and his cousin, ex-Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, casts “serious doubts” on their integrity and the national budget process.

Duterte said Co’s accusations – made in a series of three videos released over the weekend – also raises “questions about possible undue influence in the legislative budgeting process.”

“The sheer scale and detail of these allegations may not be overlooked as these disturbing disclosures also point to the interference of the Office of the President contrary to the principles of transparency and separation of powers,” Duterte’s resolution read.

The measure asked the House to direct the appropriate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on Co’s allegations.

Duterte’s resolution also asked that the panel invite Co, as well as officials of the Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other relevant public officials to “clarify or dispute the allegations, provide pieces of evidence, and assist in crafting reforms.”

The measure was referred to the House committee on rules during Wednesday’s plenary session.

GMA News Online has reached out to Malacañang and Romualdez for comment on Duterte’s measure and will publish their replies once available.

Marcos previously brushed off Co’s allegations, saying he does not want to dignify the former lawmaker’s claims.

The Palace also denied the claims against the President as “pure hearsay” and propaganda, and said Co should come home to substantiate his accusations. Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro also theorized that Co is being used by those who want to wrest power amid the flood control projects scandal.

For his part, Romualdez maintained that he has a clear conscience and that no witness has accused him of any wrongdoing. He added that he does not want to comment on Co’s allegations as these were “not made under oath and do not hold water in the court of law.”

In House Resolution 488, Duterte noted that among the most significant allegation was that Marcos asked for a 25% share or kickback in relation to the P100 billion insertion.

He also cited Co’s claim that he, along with his staff, personally delivered suitcases allegedly filled with cash to Romualdez and Marcos, “which if deemed true, would constitute extraordinarily serious violations of law and public trust.”

Duterte added that Co’s detailed list of the projects with corresponding amounts and contractors of the P100 billion insertion would “necessitate a deeper investigation to shed light on the truthfulness” of Co’s claims. — JMA, GMA Integrated News