‘The Order Came From the President’: Zaldy Co Claims Marcos Jr Ordered ₱100B Budget Insertion
Former lawmaker says the controversial ₱100-billion insertion in the 2025 budget came straight from the country’s top leadership.
Former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has resurfaced online with explosive claims—accusing Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of ordering a massive ₱100-billion budget insertion. And yes, he admits he carried it out.
Posting from an undisclosed location overseas, Co released a video message on November 14, saying the country’s “entire machinery” is now being used to shut him up. But instead of backing down, he says he’s ready to talk—receipts, evidence, names and all.
The Allegation: A ₱100-Billion Order From the Top
According to Co, the budget insertion wasn’t his idea. He claims the instruction came in late 2024 from Budget Secretary Ameenah Pangandaman during the bicameral conference. She allegedly said the president wanted ₱100 billion added to the 2025 budget.
Co says he double-checked with Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Usec. Adrian Bersamin, who “confirmed” the order came directly from Marcos Jr.
When Co relayed this to Romualdez, he says the response was simple: “What the president wants, gets.”
A follow-up meeting reportedly took place in Malacañang with Pangandaman, Bersamin, Romualdez, and DOJ Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz. Co says this is where he received a list of projects inside a “brown leather bag”—similar to one he claims the president used on a previous trip, a detail he hints is symbolic.
How the P100B Was Split
Co initially tried to limit the insertion to ₱50 billion under DPWH, worried it would overshadow the education budget. But he says the full ₱100 billion “had to be inserted” because it was “promised by Speaker Martin.”
Here’s how it was broken down:
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₱50B for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
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₱50B under the Office of the President’s unprogrammed funds, giving the Palace direct control over releases
Co’s team also shared a list of ₱81.08 billion worth of infrastructure projects, including around ₱18.76 billion tied to preparations for the 2026 ASEAN Summit.
Co Says He’s Being Silenced
Co claims Marcos Jr. and Romualdez—who are cousins—are using the state’s resources to keep him quiet. He even fears he might get killed if he reveals the rest.
"Ginawa nila akong poster boy ng kanilang sariling kasinungalingan… Ngayon hindi na ako mananahimik. Ilalabas ko ang lahat ng katotohanan, may resibo, may ebidensya at may pangalan," he said.
Co says he was advised to delay returning to the Philippines after the SONA, believing he would be “looked after.” Now, he thinks “being looked after” really meant being set up as a fall guy.
The video he posted is Part 1. Part 2 has not yet been released.
But Co Isn’t Clean Either
While Co admits to facilitating the budget insertion, he is also facing multiple investigations. These include:
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Alleged kickbacks from flood control projects
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Ghost projects and substandard materials flagged by Senate and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) probes
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Complaints already filed before the Ombudsman
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Expected formal charges
Sunwest, a company Co co-founded, has reportedly secured ₱38 billion worth of government projects from 2016 to 2024.
Why This Matters: The History of Budget Scandals
The Philippines has been here before. In 2013, the Supreme Court declared PDAF—or “pork barrel”—unconstitutional after massive corruption and ghost NGOs were exposed. The scandal led to the arrest of several senators and ignited the Million People March.
While PDAF was abolished, the practice of “insertions” didn’t fully disappear. Co’s claims suggest that even after reforms, loopholes may still be exploited at extremely high levels.
What Authorities Are Doing Now
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) says it is “carefully reviewing” Co’s statement. ICI is already conducting parallel investigations with the Senate into anomalies in flood control projects.
ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed they are assessing the credibility of Co’s claims, which have added fuel to public outrage over questionable infrastructure spending.
With allegations pointing directly to top government officials, pressure is building for full transparency.
What Happens Next?
Co says he has more to reveal. ICI is digging deeper. The Senate is continuing its probe. Public anger is rising.
And until the second part of Co’s video drops, this controversy is far from over.