Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday reiterated its call to former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and explain his allegations in the proper forum, as it cast doubt on the credibility of his online videos. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Co's claims continued to shift across multiple video releases, noting inconsistencies that call into question the integrity of his statements.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro highlighted that Co's videos appeared to have been recorded on different days, with noticeable changes in his appearance, suggesting his statements are being adjusted in response to public reaction. 'Mas maganda pong tapusin muna niya ang kaniyang mga video dahil tuwing may napupunang inconsistencies, nagbabago rin ang kuwento (It's better that he finishes all his videos first because every time inconsistencies are pointed out, the story changes),' Castro told reporters in a Palace briefing.

Castro further detailed that Co's timeline of supposed discussions involving government budgets shifted from 2022 to 2024, an inconsistency flagged by legal analysts following his videos. The Palace declined to comment on reports alleging Co's purported links to groups supposedly seeking to unseat the current administration.

Co, who is reportedly abroad, released a series of videos linking various government officials, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his cousin former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, to alleged irregularities in budgeting processes. The former lawmaker also faces pending cases and is subject to an Interpol blue notice request, which allows member-states to collect additional information about a person's identity or location.

Asked whether the government plans to seek Interpol's assistance to hasten Co's arrest, Castro said law enforcement agencies are reviewing the next steps.