Malacañang rebukes claims against Marcos, says Zaldy Co is only evading responsibility
Former congressman Zaldy Co’s claims against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are “without basis and fact,” said Malacañang in a press briefing on Friday.
In a video statement, the former Ako Bicol representative alleged that Pres. Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered him to insert P100 billion in ghost projects into the national budget. Co added that Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman relayed the order during the bicameral conference committee.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro argued that Co was simply making up stories to evade responsibility, reminding him that it was Marcos Jr. who shed light on the issue of ghost flood control projects in the first place.
“Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang umiwas at iiwas ang sarili at mag-namedrop kahit walang katibayan at laway lang ang puhunan. Para masagip ang sarili sa paratang ng pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan at mapalitaw na siya ang biktima, siya ay magtatahi ng maling kwento laban sa ibang tao."
Castro said Co must testify under oath in Manila if he is serious, and if he fears for his life, he must provide proof of the threats.
Asked about who might be orchestrating Co's claims against Marcos, she said, “May naiisip ba ako? Mahirap magsalita pero misan kayo mismo mag-iisip sino kaya ang nasa likod nito? Yung mga obstructionists, destabilizers, o lumiliit lang siguro talaga ang mundo ni Zaldy Co?”
Castro added that claims against Co are backed up by evidence and testimonies.
The accusations against the President are “pure hearsay,” said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez. “Zaldy Co should come back to the country and sign everything he said under oath with the proper judicial authorities.”
Budget Secretary Pangandaman was also present in the briefing, saying, “All appropriations ordered by the President are already in the National Expenditure Program. That is why it is called the President’s budget. So we reject any insinuations about it.”
Pangandaman continued, “The bicam is purely under the power of legislature. We respect and strictly follow the budget process and all our actions are above board.”
Co has not shown up at any sessions since the reopening of the 20th Congress in July, resigning as Congressman on Sept. 29.
His lawyer, Ruy Rondain, announced in a press conference earlier this month that Co will only return to the Philippines when “the threat to his life [has] abated.”
Marcos has said that Co’s passport will be cancelled as soon as criminal cases have been filed against him.