Former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co has come forward with a bold and emotional claim — one that has shaken the political scene and sparked conversations across the country.
Co alleges that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally spoke to him about insertions in the 2025 national budget.
And according to him… that conversation was intense.
A Heated Meeting Near Malacañang
In a video released online, Co recalled a meeting arranged by Usec. Jojo Cadiz last March.
It happened at 1201 Aguado Street, right across Malacañang Gate 4.
But instead of clarity, Co said the President showed anger.
“Sa halip na kumalma ang Pangulo, lalo siyang nagalit,” Co said.
“Diretsahan niyang sinabi —
‘Huwag mo akong pigilan sa insertions ko. Huwag ka nang makialam sa budget.’”
Co said this was the moment he realized that it was Marcos himself who allegedly instructed Budget Secretary Mina Pangandaman and Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin to push P100 billion worth of projects into the budget.
A Letter Before the Storm
Before their March meeting, Co said he wrote to the President in February.
In that letter, he explained he only followed the President’s earlier instructions about insertions — instructions that Marcos now allegedly denied.
Co promised to release the letter alongside the video.
Another P50 Billion?
The former lawmaker said the P100 billion wasn’t the end of it.
He claimed Usec. Cadiz also told him about a new request from the President — an additional P50 billion worth of projects.
Co said he resisted, arguing they already had the P100 billion instruction.
But Cadiz allegedly said he would clarify things with Marcos.
According to Co, the President’s reply was firm:
“Humingi ka ng bago o dagdag na insertions.”
For Co, this was proof that the President knew exactly what was happening.
Insertions in the 2026 Budget Too?
Co went further — alleging that even the 2026 national budget, still being discussed by Congress, already contains P97 billion in new insertions.
He claimed DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan confirmed that Marcos ordered another P100 billion into the President’s Budget for 2026.
Co said he learned about this in a May 2025 meeting with former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
As of now, GMA Integrated News is still waiting for Malacañang’s comment.
Sandro Marcos Also Tagged
The controversy doesn’t end with the President.
Co claimed that House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the President’s son, also had yearly budget insertions:
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₱9.636 billion in 2023
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₱20.174 billion in 2024
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₱21.127 billion in 2025
A total of ₱50.938 billion.
Co said he learned through contractors that Sandro was “furious” during 2025 budget talks because ₱8 billion of his requested insertion allegedly didn’t push through.
He claimed contractors had already advanced money to Sandro — and now he supposedly had to return it.
Sandro Marcos Fires Back
Sandro responded strongly.
He accused Co of being part of destabilization efforts, claiming Co had already made deals with groups benefiting from political change.
“Anyone can sit in front of the camera abroad and spew lies,” Sandro said.
He described Co’s statements as “fantastical and false.”
Sandro added that Co was removed from the Appropriations Committee due to greed and corruption, not political retaliation.
“Si Zaldy Co ay hindi truth crusader.
Siya ay kriminal na umiiwas sa hustisya,” he said.
Call for an Investigation
Meanwhile, the Makabayan Bloc has filed a resolution calling for a House investigation into the statements made by Co and former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
The controversy continues to grow — and with billions at stake, the nation watches closely.
