Camille Naredo

The Office of the Ombudsman. Quezon City. February 19, 2020.

The Office of the Ombudsman. Quezon City. February 19, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Office of the Ombudsman

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday urged former congressman Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and provide evidence of his allegations, rather than issue video statements that are not made under oath.</p><p>Earlier in the day, Co had released a second video statement denying that he benefited from alleged insertions in the national budget.</p><p>He instead urged the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman to probe President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over the alleged budget insertions, just as he showed suitcases supposedly containing cash. </p><p>These were allegedly delivered to Romualdez in North and South Forbes and to Marcos Jr in Malacanang.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/15/in-video-zaldy-co-says-he-didn-t-get-any-money-from-flood-control-projects-1212">READ: In video, Zaldy Co says he didn’t get any money from flood-control projects</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/15/zaldy-co-senate-ombudsman-should-probe-romualdez-and-marcos-over-alleged-p100-b-insertion-1249">READ: Senate, Ombudsman should probe Romualdez and Marcos over alleged P100-B ‘insertion’ -- Co</a></div><p>On Friday, he claimed that he <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/zaldy-co-breaks-silence-on-flood-control-mess-1214">received instructions to insert P100-B worth of projects in the national budget</a> from Marcos Jr., through Romualdez and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.</p><p>In a statement, the Ombudsman said their doors are open to the former lawmaker so he could present his evidence properly. </p><p>But Co, it said, chose to not to do so. </p><p>&quot;Pinili ni G. Zaldy Co na umiwas sa prosesong ito. Sa halip na magsalaysay sa tanggapan, inilalabas niya ang kanyang kuwento sa mga video at social media. Dahil dito, kailangan naming huminto at suriin ang bawat sinabi - dahil lahat ng testigo, walang espesyal, ay dumadaan sa parehong pagsusuri,&quot; the Ombudsman said. </p><p>&quot;Matagal nang bukas ang pinto ng Ombudsman sa kanya. Matagal na rin naming hinihiling na ipresenta niya ang kanyang ebidensya nang maayos. At kung ang dahilan ng pag-iwas ay takot, malinaw naming sinasabi: handa po kaming magbigay ng proteksyon,&quot; it added. </p><p>&quot;Ang kaligtasan ng isang testigo ay mahalaga sa katotohanan na hinahanap natin,&quot; it said. </p><p>While the process to seek justice may not be as fast as expected, the Ombudsman said there are rules and processes to follow to authenticate the pieces of evidence and statements. </p><p>&quot;Sa bawat seryosong imbestigasyon, may tamang daloy: ang mga testigo ay lumalapit, nagsusumite ng salaysay, at dumadaan sa masusing beripikasyon,&quot; the statement read. </p><p>&quot;Mabagal man ito minsan, ito ang tanging paraan para masigurong ang hustisya ay matibay, hindi haka-haka,&quot; it added. </p><p>Marcos Jr. had declined to comment on Co&#x27;s allegations during a visit to towns in Negros Occidental.</p><p>&quot;If you want to talk about the storm, we&#x27;ll talk about that. I don&#x27;t even want to dignify what he said,&quot; said Marcos, who was checking on the situation in the province after the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, for his part, described Co’s statement as a &quot;hearsay.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Hindi nag rewrite ng script sa second video kahit na kanal  na yung una. We continue to issue the same challenge. Come home, sign these under oath and face the music,&quot; he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima questioned the timing of the release of the former Ako Bicol representative&#x27;s video statements.</p><p>In a Saturday news briefing, De Lima said it was hard to believe some of the allegations made by Co, as this was not made under oath. </p><p>&quot;Ang una kong reaksyon kahapon, hindi puwedeng video lang lalo na sa tindi ng kanyang mga isiniwalat. Pero halata naman na ito ay tingi-tingi lang muna (JC) Hindi natin alam ano pa, ilan ba ang series na yan. Baka mamaya after part 2 mayroon pang part 3 and other parts,&quot; said the House lawmaker. </p><p>&quot;Hindi puwedeng hanggang video lang yan. Ano ba ang pinakaplano niya? May balak ba siya na bumalik? Hindi puwedeng hindi siya babalik at puro video lang,&quot; she added. </p><p>The timing, she emphasized, &quot;is rather suspicious.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Parang napilitan na siya na magsalita na rin. Ang problema, hindi natin alam kung alin diyan ang totoo, alin diyan ang hindi, alin diyan ang embellishment lamang, alin diyan ang sinasabi dahil wala na siyang choice, nalalaglag na lang?&quot; De Lima said.</p><p>The House lawmaker emphasized Co should just go home and face the allegations against him. </p><p>Should he fear for his safety, she said the government and other institutions are still there to protect him. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bAzSQ8oTLrc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday urged former congressman Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and provide evidence of his allegations, rather than issue video statements that are not made under oath.</p>

The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday urged former congressman Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and provide evidence of his allegations, rather than issue video statements that are not made under oath.

Ombudsman tells Zaldy Co to present evidence, vows to provide protection

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Ombudsman tells Zaldy Co to present evidence, vows to provide protection

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 15, 2025 02:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Zaldy Co

Office of the Ombudsman

Leila de Lima

flood control

flood control scandal

ML Partylist

corruption

governance

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.