CBCP warns vs political exploitation of Co's allegations

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) warned against “political exploitation” of the allegations of former Ako-Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and has appealed for due process, especially during sensitive periods “that may inflame public sentiment or be used to influence political outcomes.”

- By BELLA CARIASO

“In light of the serious allegations recently made public by Rep. Zaldy Co, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines calls for truth, justice and due process to prevail,” CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said.

Speaking publicly for the first time since going into hiding, Co alleged that President Marcos ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference committee last year.

In a video statement, Co said that resigned House speaker Martin Romualdez, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin all had “direct knowledge” of the controversial insertions.

“If his accusations are indeed credible and substantial, we urge him to return to the country and file his charges before the proper authorities, under oath and supported by verifiable evidence. Public declarations on social media, however alarming, cannot take the place of formal testimony in the appropriate legal venues,” David said.

Pangandaman supposedly informed Co at the start of the 2024 bicam process that “their meeting with the President has just been finished and there was an instruction to insert P100 billion worth of projects in bicam.”

She allegedly directed Co to confirm the matter with Bersamin, who affirmed that Marcos issued the instruction.

After receiving this confirmation, Co reported the matter to Romualdez, who allegedly replied: “What the President wants, he gets.”

A few days later, Pangandaman and Bersamin arranged a meeting with him and Romualdez at the Aguado building near Malacañang, with Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz present, Co claimed.

“For the good of the nation, such claims must be examined transparently, impartially and in accordance with the rule of law,” David added.