Malacañang has strongly denied allegations made by former congressman Zaldy Co that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered ₱100 billion “insertions” in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said Co’s claims were “baseless” and mere “hearsay,” stressing that President Marcos himself exposed irregularities in flood-control projects and ordered investigations and reforms to prevent abuse.
Gomez added that Co should return to the country and place his statements under oath before proper judicial authorities.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman clarified that all of the President’s proposed projects were already included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). She explained that once the NEP is submitted to Congress, the Executive has no role in the bicameral process.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said Co’s statements were fabricated to evade investigation, noting that his name surfaced in the flood-control probe due to documents and testimonies, not because of presidential action.
Castro emphasized that there is no “panic mode” in Malacañang despite the allegations and protests, adding that monitoring destabilization threats is a normal government function.
Meanwhile, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo warned that Co’s allegations could be “game over” for the administration if proven true, as they would constitute “betrayal of public trust,” an impeachable offense.
Panelo added that if the President and his allies in Congress and the DPWH are proven to be involved in anomalies, they must be held accountable and imprisoned after due process.
For now, Malacañang insists that the best course of action is for Co to return to the Philippines, face the cases, and provide testimony before the proper courts.