House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has strongly rejected the claims made by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who accused him of orchestrating ₱50.9 billion in budget insertions over three years. Co alleged that Marcos was directly involved in pushing for the inclusion of specific projects in the national budget from 2023 to 2025.
According to Co, Marcos had ₱9.636 billion inserted into the 2023 budget, ₱20.174 billion in 2024, and ₱21.127 billion in 2025. These insertions, Co claims, were made during bicameral deliberations, a crucial stage of the budget process where final changes to the budget are decided. Co also stated that Marcos consistently pushed for his projects to be included, claiming, “lagi pong may utos si Congressman Sandro na ipasok ang mga proyekto niya.”
In a direct response, Sandro Marcos called Co’s accusations “false” and part of an ongoing effort to discredit the administration. Marcos went on to say that Co’s public statements were nothing more than an attempt to divert attention from his own legal issues. “Gusto niyang pabagsakin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon para ma-abswelto siya sa kanyang mga krimen,” Marcos asserted, implying that Co was using these claims to escape accountability.
Co also accused Marcos of benefiting personally from these alleged insertions, claiming that contractors had advanced funds to Marcos for certain projects. According to Co, when an ₱8-billion insertion was not fully included in the 2025 budget, contractors pressured Marcos to return the funds. Co further alleged that Marcos planned to seek his removal and pursue multiple legal cases against him over the shortfall.
Marcos vehemently denied these accusations, stating that they were part of a larger narrative aimed at destabilizing the government. “Zaldy Co was removed because of his insatiable greed and corruption, not because of the whims of any individual,” Marcos said, referring to Co’s ousting from his position as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. He emphasized that Co’s allegations were simply a distraction from his own legal troubles.
In further rebuttal, Marcos rejected Co’s claims that President Marcos was involved in directing budget insertions. Co had alleged that the President instructed key officials, including Secretary Mina Pangandaman and Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, to push for a ₱100 billion insertion into the 2026 budget. Marcos stated that Co’s narrative was “part of a broader destabilization attempt.”
Co also accused the President of issuing directives to include more insertions, claiming that a new ₱97 billion was added to the 2026 budget. Marcos responded by pointing out that Co’s claims about the President’s involvement were baseless, asserting that no such instructions came from the President.
Marcos concluded his statement with a direct appeal to the public, urging them to disregard Co’s accusations and the false narratives being pushed. “Si Zaldy Co ay hindi po isang journalist o truth crusader. Siya po ay isang kriminal na umiwas sa hustisya,” he said, urging Filipinos not to fall for Co’s alleged efforts to stir political chaos.
