Return home to testify, Palace urges Zaldy Co

Malacañang has dismissed former congressman Zaldy Co's allegations against President Marcos as "wild accusations" and challenged him to return to the Philippines and prove his claims before the proper authorities.

- ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS and ELLSON QUISMORIO

This came after Co, in a Facebook video, alleged that President Marcos ordered the insertion of at least ₱100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In a press briefing in Malacañan on Friday, Nov. 14, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the accusations-issued by Co from overseas-"have no basis in fact" and contradict the President's own campaign to expose and fix irregularities in floodcontrol projects.

"These wild accusations are completely without basis in fact. All the charges leveled against the President are pure hearsay," he said.

Gomez stressed that it was President Marcos who first uncovered the anomalies and ordered full investigations, recovery of public funds, and reforms to prevent future abuses.

"Rep. Zaldy Co should come back to the country and sign everything he said under oath with the proper judicial authorities," he added.

No presidential role in budget 'insertions'

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman rejected suggestions that the President was involved in alleged budget "insertions," noting that all executive proposals are already included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

"All appropriations ordered by the President are already in the NEP. That is why it is called the President's Budget," she said.

She explained that once the NEP is submitted to Congress, the Executive Branch has no participation in the bicameral process.

"We respect and strictly follow the budget process, and all our actions are aboveboard," Pangandaman said.