by: Angelica Arquero
Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co has accused Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos of being involved in alleged budget insertions from 2023 to 2025, adding a new name to the widening controversy he has been revealing in recent weeks.
In a new video he posted, Co reiterated his earlier claim that he “delivered” 56 billion pesos to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for supposed project allocations.
He said Romualdez even explained how the sharing of DPWH projects would be arranged, describing it as the beginning of what he called “deliveries.”
He also claimed the former Speaker told him that the amount was supposedly shared between himself and the President.
Co then showed photos of suitcases allegedly filled with money that he said were delivered to the President and the former Speaker, complete with dates when the supposed deliveries happened.
On November 25, Co released another video of his allegations, where he implicated another lawmaker: Rep. Sandro Marcos.
Co said that not only the President but also Sandro Marcos supposedly had billions in annual budget insertions.
He alleged that Marcos’ insertion amounts reached more than 50 billion pesos starting 2023.
He claimed that when the 2025 budget reportedly lacked 8 billion pesos, the younger Marcos wanted him removed from his position because a contractor had already advanced money to him and expected the full amount.
Rep. Sandro Marcos denied all the accusations in a press statement.
According to him, Co’s statements are lies meant to drag his name into a fabricated controversy.
He said Co simply wants to destabilize the current administration to escape accountability, calling the claims an attempt at destabilization rather than real revelation.
During a press conference in Malacañang, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged Co to return home and face the allegations.
The President added that Co’s accusations appear to be part of efforts to undermine the government.
Of the 17 individuals with arrest warrants linked to irregular flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, Co is the only one confirmed to be outside the country.
