3 Cebu projects tied to 'sagasa'

Each project carried a 100-million allocation and was reportedly proposed by Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, former chairman of the House appropriations committee.

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Tiangco said similar insertions were made in other provinces—including Oriental Mindoro, Abra, Pangasinan, Davao, Quezon City, Bukidnon, Camarines Norte, Batangas, Sarangani, and Romblon—with Co listed as proponent.

He noted that some foreign-assisted projects were diverted to unprogrammed appropriations, bypassing priority programs. The largest single insertion identified amounted to P13 billion, allegedly parked under allocations for Ako Bicol and BHW Party-list.

"Minsan hindi alam ng congressman. Magugulat na lang siya pagdating ng General Appropriations Act," Tiangco said, adding that the scheme resembled a "hit-and-run tactic."

He explained that the scheme involves budget items being "parked" in districts without coordination, allowing proponents to later claim credit for the projects.