Manila: Malaca±ang has dismissed as 'pure hearsay' the allegations made by former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, claiming that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had ordered the insertion of PHP100 billion worth of projects into the PHP6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Dave Gomez refuted Co's accusations during a Palace press briefing. Gomez stated that all charges against the President lack factual basis and emphasized that Marcos was the one who exposed the anomalous flood control projects. Marcos, he noted, has been proactive in gathering evidence against those involved, aiming to bring the guilty to justice, recover stolen wealth, and fix systemic issues to prevent future occurrences.
Gomez further urged Co to return to the Philippines and address the issue 'under oath with the proper judicial authorities.'
In a Facebook video message, Co alleged that Marcos, through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, instructed him and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to include specific budget items under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Co claimed that the PHP100 billion insertion was later reduced to PHP50 billion due to the education sector's budgetary priority.
Pangandaman denied Co's claims, asserting that all appropriations ordered by Marcos are already included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), also known as the President's budget. She clarified that once the NEP is submitted to Congress, the executive, particularly the Office of the President, plays no role in the budget deliberations by the bicameral conference committee.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized Co for attempting to save himself from the flood control controversy by implicating others. She argued that if Marcos had orchestrated the budget insertions, they would have been included in the NEP. Castro remarked that Co's allegations have only raised more questions about his involvement in the matter.
Castro cautioned the public against believing Co's potential future falsehoods and challenged him to substantiate his claims of threats against his life. She advised Co to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him, asserting that the investigation initiated by the President is uncovering the truth.
Castro concluded by emphasizing that efforts to divert the issue would not succeed in shielding those truly guilty from justice.
