Babes Singson: Zaldy Co's statements not enough to probe Marcos

Former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co’s statements linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to anomalous flood control projects are not enough to warrant an investigation against him, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson said Thursday.

“Of course not,” Singson said at a press briefing when asked whether Co’s statements can be used as a basis to investigate the Philippine leader.

“I mean— again, I am not a lawyer. I will leave it up to the lawyers to decide and that’s why we keep trying to invite. Baka gusto niya Zoom kung nasaan man siya sa mundong ito [Maybe he wants to go on Zoom wherever he is in this world]. If the commission will accept a Zoom or a written affidavit,” he added.

Co has released a series of videos on social media accusing Marcos and former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin 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.

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 a third video.

Both Marcos and Romualdez have since denied the allegations.

Prior to the question, Singson said that a “former congressman’s” remarks could not be given credence or used as basis in to accuse anyone. He noted that the ICI has invited the former lawmaker to appear twice.

“Ang dami niyang sinabi eh, pero ano basis noon? Ganon-ganon na lang ba?” he said.

(He has said a lot, but what is the basis? Just like that?)

He said that the same situation happened in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearings, where several senators, lawmakers, and government officials were linked to the corruption.

However, he said that there was no connection between some of those mentioned and the flood control controversy.

“When we started interviewing those that were mentioned, talagang walang koneksyon. Either it was highly politically motivated or some other reason, we don’t know,” Singson said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News