Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said former Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Zaldy Co’s video statement tagging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the alleged insertion of P100 billion in the 2025 budget was “not enough”. </p><p>Dy said Co should return to the country and show proof of his claims against Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. </p><p>“Hindi sapat ang video mula sa ibang bansa. Kapag mabigat ang paratang, dapat mas mabigat din ang paninindigan. Kailangan niyang humarap, manumpa, at magharap ng ebidensiya sa mga awtoridad tulad ng ICI,” the House Speaker said in a statement.</p><p>“Habang ang iba ay harapang nagbigay-linaw, si dating Rep. Co ay umiwas. Sa halip na makatulong sa paglilinaw, mas lalo niyang dinaragdagan ang pagkalito ng publiko… Kaya ito po ang aking panawagan kay dating Rep. Co: Umuwi po kayo at harapin ninyo ang taumbayan,” Dy added.</p><div><a 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">In video, Zaldy Co says he didn’t get any money from flood-control projects</a></div><p>He noted that if Co fears for his life, arrangements could be made with relevant government agencies for his protection.</p><p>“At kung kinakailangan siyang bigyan ng proteksiyon, makikipag-ugnayan po tayo sa mga kaukulang ahensiya upang matiyak ang kanyang kaligtasan habang siya ay nagbibigay ng testimonya,” Dy said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/15/ombudsman-tells-zaldy-co-to-present-evidence-vows-to-provide-protection-1450">Ombudsman tells Zaldy Co to present evidence, vows to provide protection</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>LAKAS-CMD SUPPORT</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Dominant political party Lakas-CMD, meanwhile, declared its “full and unwavering support” for the President and his administration, despite Co’s allegations.</p><p>“We strongly reject any insinuation that the President directed or tolerated any form of wrongdoing… Walang ‘green light’ sa katiwalian mula kay PBBM—ang meron ay malinaw na utos na ‘follow the law,’” Lakas-CMD said in a statement signed by senior party officials.</p><p>“We refuse to be distracted by narratives built on speculation, personal grievances, or recollections delivered outside official investigatory processes… Batas, ebidensya, at katotohanan— ‘yan ang sandigan, hindi kwentong kutsero o pamumulitika,” it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/17/zaldy-co-s-allegations-not-admissible-without-oath-ibp-1526">Zaldy Co’s allegations not admissible without oath – IBP</a></div><p>Lakas-CMD also expressed “full, unwavering confidence” in its party president, Romualdez, calling the insinuations against him “unfounded”.</p><p>“The party stands united in affirming that there has been no evidence whatsoever presented in any sworn or validated proceeding that links Rep. Romualdez to any wrongdoing,” it said in a separate statement.</p><p>“All verifiable records, documents, and audit-based findings remain consistent on one point: walang ebidensiya laban kay Martin Romualdez. Attempts to drag his name into the controversy have relied heavily on shifting narratives and claims aired in venues where they are not tested, examined, or supported by documentation. Hindi puwedeng haka-haka ang gawing hustisya.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/zaldy-co-free-to-apply-as-witness-but-will-be-subject-to-evaluation-says-doj-1741">Zaldy Co free to apply as witness but will be subject to evaluation, says DOJ</a></div><p>Hindi puwedeng ingay ang gawing batayan ng katotohanan,” the party added.</p><p>“Lakas-CMD rejects efforts to weaponize allegations for political ends or to draw individuals into controversies where their names do not belong. These tactics only distract from the work of institutions, undermine public trust, and sow unnecessary division. Our party remains committed to the rule of law, to fairness, and to the principle that accountability must rest on proof-not pressure, not speculation, and not noise,” it noted.</p><p>Lakas-CMD said Romualdez neither participated in the preparation, negotiation, or endorsement of individual projects, nor engaged in dealings related to contractors or allocations.</p><p>“As former Speaker of the House, he consistently deferred to the expertise and mandate of the Committee on Appropriations and the bicameral conference panel, allowing them to perform their technical duties without interference,” it added.</p><div><iframe width="734" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KftRCS9WbYs" title="Marcoleta brings up Zaldy Co&#x27;s video at Senate hearing: &#x27;We cannot ignore that statement&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="734" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-fJESsuKO-A" title="&#x27;Puro imbento!&#x27; Puno on Zaldy Co&#x27;s accusations vs Marcos, Romualdez | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said former Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Zaldy Co’s video statement tagging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the alleged insertion of P100 billion in the 2025 budget was “not enough”.</p>

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said former Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Zaldy Co’s video statement tagging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the alleged insertion of P100 billion in the 2025 budget was “not enough”.

House Speaker Dy says Zaldy Co’s videos not enough: ‘Umuwi po kayo at harapin ninyo ang taumbayan’

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House Speaker Dy says Zaldy Co’s videos not enough: ‘Umuwi po kayo at harapin ninyo ang taumbayan’

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 18, 2025 11:18 AM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Bojie Dy

Zaldy Co

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