Rep. Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list has expressed her agreement with House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, saying that former congressman Zaldy Co’s recent video exposés give “the impression of destabilization.”
De Lima made the statement after Co’s latest video released on November 25, where he accused Marcos of inserting nearly P51 billion into the national budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Co also claimed that President Bongbong Marcos made a P100-billion insertion in the 2025 budget, with a P25-billion kickback allegedly going to him.
Marcos immediately denied the allegations, describing them as part of an orchestrated destabilization attempt. He said intelligence reports point to Co’s supposed coordination with individuals interested in undermining the current administration. Marcos insisted that the accusations were not revelations but political maneuvering.
De Lima echoed this sentiment, saying that Co’s approach — releasing accusations through a series of videos instead of bringing evidence to official channels — raises questions about the intent behind his disclosures. She noted that the style of releasing exposés in fragments creates speculation about whether there is a broader agenda at play.
She added that the public cannot determine whether Co’s statements contain full truths, half-truths, or embellished claims, especially given the lack of formal documentation. According to her, the way these videos are being released contributes to the impression that the effort may be aimed at destabilizing democratic processes, something she urged the public to avoid.
Co remains a central figure in the controversy surrounding budget insertions and alleged corruption in flood control infrastructure projects. He has been in hiding abroad for several months and is currently the subject of an arrest warrant.
De Lima called on Co to return to the Philippines and present his evidence in the proper legal venues, stressing that if he truly possesses the truth, he should be willing to defend it formally before the appropriate authorities.
She also criticized his decision to continuously release videos without any accompanying affidavits or verified documents. De Lima said that relying solely on video statements is insufficient for claims of this magnitude and only deepens uncertainty about the accuracy of the allegations. She emphasized that credible accusations must be supported by sworn statements and proper submission of evidence so the matter can be fully and transparently examined.
