Palace flags inconsistencies in Zaldy Co's videos

Malacañang on Wednesday flagged the supposed inconsistencies in the video statements of resigned Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment about the remark of Co that Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander ''Sandro'' Marcos, son of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., was allegedly involved in the P50-billion budget insertion.

Castro, while reiterating that Sandro already denied the accusation, said that it would be better if Co finished his ''story'' first, noting that the former lawmaker's hairstyle was also changed in the succeeding videos. 

''Sa atin naman po, bago tayo magbigay ng anumang tugon diyan, mas maganda po siguro na tapusin na muna – kung siya man po iyong nagsasalita – ni Zaldy Co, ang kaniyang mga mensahe, ang kaniyang mga diumanong mga kuwento. Mula video 1, 2, 3, hanggang video 4 and 5, madaling nag-iba ang kaniyang hairstyle kaya’t tuwing makikita natin at masasabi natin ang mga inconsistencies, maaaring magbago rin siya ng kuwento,'' Castro said.

(For us, before we respond to that, it's better if he finishes his story first if it was indeed him who was speaking in the video. From videos 1, 2, 3 up to 4 and 5, his hairstyle changed so as we see the videos and his inconsistencies, maybe he'll change his story.) 

Castro said due to the changing image of Co, due to his hairstyle, one would really doubt if indeed the person in the video was the lawmaker. 

''Sa nakikita po natin na mga pag-iba-iba ng kaniyang mga imahe, hindi mawawala sa isipan kung siya man iyon o hindi. But still, sasagot po tayo at ang nais lang po natin ay tapusin niya ang kaniyang salaysay kasi tuwing mapupuna natin ang kaniyang mga inconsistencies, nababago rin po ang kaniyang statements,'' she said. 

(As we see the changes in his image, there's doubt if it was him in the video. But still, we will respond and we just want him to finish his story because once his inconsistencies are noticed, his statements change.) 

''So, makikita ninyo po iyong mga pabago-bagong statements mula video one, two, three hanggang four and five,'' she added. 

(You can see his changing statements from video one, two, three, up to four and five.)

Asked for the supposed inconsistencies in Co's video statements, Castro said his storyline has changed.

''Unang-una, ni hindi niya binanggit sa video one, two ang sinasabing transaksiyon ng 2022. Maliwanag na ang binanggit niya na nagsimula raw ang kaniyang pakikipag-usap diumano kay Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ay 2024. So, noong napuna ang mga inconsistencies, nabago ang kuwento,'' she said. 

(First, in videos one and two, the transactions in 2022 were not mentioned. He said that he started talking to Secretary Amenahn Pangandaman in 2024. So, when inconsistencies were noticed, his story changed.) 

She also said that if the video was created in one day, Co's image should not have changed. 

''Kung isang araw lang itong ginawa, hindi dapat nababago ang itsura. So it means, lumalabas, iba-ibang araw ito ginawa at malamang, at malamang ay bumabase sila sa reaksyon ng tao,'' Castro said. 

(If this was created in just one day, his image should not have been changed. So it means that the video could have been created on different days and they are depending on the public's reaction.) 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has challenged Co to come home and face accusations against him.

Marcos pointed out that anyone could go to social media and make claims that usually mean nothing. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News