House Majority Leader Rep. Sandro Marcos on Tuesday denied allegations made by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, calling his claims “fantastical,” “false,” and part of an effort to destabilize the administration.
In a statement, the House Majority Leader rejected all accusations, asserting that Co’s statements were fabrications intended to mislead the public.
“Siya po ay isang kriminal na umiiwas sa hustisya. Huwag po tayong magpabudol sa kanya,” the young Marcos said.
The lawmaker from Ilocos criticized Co after the former lawmaker accused him of allegedly inserting ₱50 billion annually into the national budget from 2023 to 2025. Co claimed that Marcos had budget insertions totaling ₱9.636 billion in 2023, ₱20.174 billion in 2024, and ₱21.127 billion in the 2025 budget.
He further alleged that Marcos routinely ordered the inclusion of his preferred projects during the bicameral budget process.
Marcos stressed that Co “has no credibility” and is attempting in hope to escape his own legal issues.
He further alleged that Co’s motive is political, “Gusto niyang pabagsakin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon para ma-abswelto siya sa kanyang mga krimen.”
"The intel suggests he already struck a deal with those who stand to benefit from such a change," he added.
The Ilocos Norte lawmaker also denied that any individual influenced the removal of Co as House appropriations committee chair, saying it was a decision made by members who “caught wind of his insatiable greed and corruption.”
Marcos said that the “sagasa” that Co had allegedly orchestrated in certain districts, including Bulacan and other municipalities, spoke for itself.
“This is someone who our kababayans know to be the architect of this mess yet continues to insult their intelligence by saying ‘wala siyang nakuha,’” Marcos said.
He also labeled Co as the “newly champion of the DDS cabal,” accusing him of attempting to sow discord within government institutions.
Co, earlier claimed that billions in budget insertions were tied to Marcos over the last three budget cycles. He asserted that these were added at Marcos’ instruction during key stages of the bicameral deliberations.
