Progressives press call for BBM’s resignation after latest bombshell.
FORMER House of Representatives (HOR) appropriations committee head and Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co released another video today, reiterating his earlier revelations that budget kickbacks reached as high as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In his fourth instalment of revelations, Co said he delivered P55 billion pesos to Forbes Park mansions of erstwhile ally and former HOR speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The fugitive former lawmaker further said that the monies were meant for both Romualdez and Marcos Jr.
Co claimed that Romualdez gave him a P2 billion a month quota as soon as he was named appropriations committee chief in 2022.
He added that he gave another P1 billion to justice undersecretary Jose “Jojo” Cadiz in November 2024 in a Tamarind Street, Forbes Park address after being informed that Marcos Jr. was not receiving “remittances.”
Co said that he delivered a total of P56 billion to Romualdez and Marcos Jr. from 2022 until the controversy on flood control projects blew up last September.
Marcos immediately addressed Co’s latest revelations in a press conference in Malacanang this afternoon, challenging his accuser to return and face home
“It means nothing,” Marcos said. “For it to mean something, he should come home. He should face his cases.”
“If he wants to say something, then say it. Prove it. But come home,” the President added.
Leaders of progressive organizations and parties however said Co’s latest video was a bombshell that requires serious consideration by investigative authorities.
“It is a self-incriminating piece of information that contains his personal knowledge of the payoffs he made to Pres. Marcos via Speaker Romualdez and Usec. Cadiz,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chairperson Teddy Casiño said.
Casiño pointed out that Co mentioned specific persons, dates and addresses where the drop offs took place.
“I’m sure with the billions of intelligence funds at the government’s disposal, it can source closed circuit television footages and witnesses to confirm such allegations,” he added.
Makabayan Coalition representatives echoed BAYAN’s call, saying Co’s fourth video has gone beyond mere allegation as more names have been mentioned as well as details and addresses.
Cadiz Jr. served as Senate staff to then-Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a connection directly implicating the president’s inner circle in the alleged corruption scheme.
“The President’s own people are allegedly orchestrating systematic plunder,” ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Renee Co (no relation to Zaldy Co), and Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago said in a joint statement.
The progressive lawmakers also said Co’s latest bombshell reveals systematic transactions with fixed percentages, regular monthly deliveries of P2 billion, and coordination among House leadership and executive undersecretaries.
“That’s three years of systematic plunder of funds that should have been spent on roads, bridges and flood control to benefit the people,” they added.
Makabayan demands that Congress, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure must immediately investigate:
- All DPWH budget insertions from 2022 to 2025
- Alleged monthly fund deliveries of P2 billion
- The role of Usec. Jose Cadiz Jr., his previous position as Marcos Jr.’s Senate staff, and other executive officials named
- The alleged involvement of Usec. Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara
- Claims regarding the 2024 bicameral conference and budget insertions
- Standard operating procedures for DPWH project implementation
They also challenged Zaldy Co to immediately show receipts and pieces of evidence in his possession. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
