Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co shocked the nation with accusations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez pocketed billions in public funds. But for House leaders, those claims aren’t just wrong — they’re impossible.
On Monday, Deputy Speakers Ronaldo Puno, Kristine Singson Meehan, and Ferdinand Hernandez responded firmly, calling Co’s allegations unbelievable and baseless. They stressed that the claims do not match reality, nor the limits of Co’s position while he was in office.
Co had alleged that Marcos ordered a ₱100-billion insertion in the 2025 national budget, and that powerful allies were trying to silence — even kill — him to cover up corruption. He also insisted he never benefited from any illegal dealings.
But for Puno, this was too much.
He paused, then said bluntly, “Masyado siyang bilib sa sarili niya.”
He questioned why a President would ever need to “appeal” to a mere House committee chairman for such a massive insertion — especially one who couldn’t deliver such a promise.
And then came the bigger questions.
If Co claims he never took anything, Puno asked, where did the money come from — the aircraft, the helicopter, the properties in Europe, the hotel?
“Milagro?” he asked.
He challenged Co directly: show the proof, show the real source.
Before these explosive accusations surfaced, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla had already announced that graft charges would soon be filed against Co over a ₱289-million ghost flood-control project linked to a company owned by his family.
For Singson-Meehan, the solution is simple:
Co should come home, give a sworn statement, and face due process.
Hernandez agreed, stressing that Co’s circulating video has zero probative value — no oath, no authentication, no cross-examination. “Pure hearsay,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed the President now faces a crisis of confidence because of the controversy. But House leaders firmly pushed back.
In a separate statement, the Nationalist People’s Coalition praised President Marcos for uncovering irregularities in the budget process and ordering investigations and reforms within the DPWH.
And Puno ended with a clear message:
“We are all supportive of President Marcos here.”
