Co alleges Romualdez made death threat if he talked
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co claims that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez made a threat to shoot him if he talked about his alleged involvement in budget insertions during a meeting in March.
In a Nov. 16 video, Co further urged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate Romualdez, the former secretary of Justice's fraternity brad, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding their alleged links to 2025 budget insertions.
He added that he would soon release a list of projects as evidence, which may cause more cases to be filed against him.
"Ginagamit ng administrasyon ang buong resources ng bansa para matahimik ako, para masira ang aking kredibilidad. Darami rin ang banta sa buhay ko at ng aking pamilya," Co said.
"March 2025 palang, si Speaker ay nagpaparinig na sa’kin sa aming meeting that he will shoot me if I will talk. At pagkatapos niyang sabihin sa akin in a phone call na ‘Don’t come home, we will take care of you.’"
The former Ako Bicol Representative added that Romualdez told him it would be dangerous if he returned to the Philippines.
"'Tumawag ulit si Speaker Martin at sinabihan ako, 'Pag umuwi ako, it will be dangerous' kasi they will hire someone to do a rub out on me or hire the police to kill me while in jail," he said.
Co left the Philippines on July 19 seeking medical treatment in the US. He said he planned to return to the country after Marcos' fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, but was told not to by Romualdez.
Co also refuted ex-Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Henry Alcantara's claim before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that the former congressman received P21 billion as kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.
"'Di po totoo ‘yan. Ang totoong numero ay P56 billion, at ‘yun pong halaga na ‘yan ay kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at Martin Romualdez napunta lahat," Co said.
"'Yun pong pera, wala pong napunta sakin. Dumaan lang po ang pera sakin para i-deliver kay Speaker Martin Romualdez at Pangulong Marcos."
Co's former staffer Orly Guteza previously told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September that he moved "basura," a codename for suitcases filled with dirty money, to the former congressman's and Romualdez's respective residences.
'Naging comedy series'
Presidential Communications Usec. Claire Castro described the third part of Co's statement as lies.
"Walang ebidensiya na maipakita, puro basa ng script lang. Ang exposè na inaasahan ng mga kaalyado niya ay naging comedy series na," she said.
Castro then said that it was Marcos who started the probe into flood control project anomalies.
In a statement on Nov. 15, Marcos dismissed Co's accusations against him.
"I don't want to even dignify what he is saying," the president said.
Romualdez also declined to comment on Co's allegations, as they were made under oath.
"I remain ready to cooperate with any lawful process and I am confident that the truth will emerge through the proper institutions," he said.
On Nov. 13, Marcos vowed jail time for officials involved in the flood control scandal.
“Tapos na ang maliligaya ninyong araw,” he said. “Hahabulin namin kayo.”
“Bago mag-Pasko, marami dito sa napangalanan dito, palagay ko matatapos na ang kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso. Makukulong na sila, wala silang Merry Christmas," he added.
