Zaldy Co accuses Sandro Marcos of P50.9-B budget insertions

MANILA, Philippines – Resigned Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co claimed in a video released on Tuesday, November 25, that presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos was responsible for P50.9 billion in budget insertions.

“Hindi lang po ang Pangulo ang may insertion sa budget. Pati po si Congressman Sandro Marcos, meron din pong pinapasok taon-taon,” Co said.

(It’s not only the President who has insertions in the budget. Even Congressman Sandro Marcos puts something in every year.)

Co alleged that Sandro inserted P9.636 billion in 2023, P20.174 billion in 2024, and P21.127 billion in 2025, amounting to P50.938 billion.

The new accusation comes days after Co linked Sandro’s father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and former House speaker Martin Romualdez to alleged budget insertions at the bicameral conference committee.

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Co further claimed that Sandro threatened to remove him from his post and file multiple cases against him because he (Co) could not accommodate the alleged P8-billion insertion the President’s son wanted.

“Ang dahilan daw, may mga contractor na nakapag-advance na sa kanya at dahil hindi naipasok ang buong halaga, kailangan daw niyang magsauli sa mga ’yon,” Co said.

(The supposed reason was that some contractors already gave him advance payments, and because the full amount wasn’t included, he now has to return the money to them.)

Sandro denied the allegations, saying that Co “wants to bring down the current administration so he can be absolved of his crimes.”

“Anyone can sit in front of a camera from abroad and spew lies. The statements from the newly crowned champion of the DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters) cabal, former Congressman Zaldy Co, are frankly as fantastical as they are false,” Sandro said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon. 

“To my fellow citizens, Zaldy Co is not a journalist or a truth crusader. He is a criminal who is evading justice. Let us not be fooled by him. This is not a revelation, this is destabilization,” Sandro said.

Sandro said Co was removed as House appropriations committee chairman because members “caught wind of his insatiable greed and corruption.”

In his new video, Co also alleged that for the 2026 budget, the President had P97 billion in insertions included in the National Expenditure Program. He added that on top of the alleged P100 billion in requested insertions, the President also asked for an additional P50 billion.

The President earlier questioned Co’s accusations and challenged the resigned lawmaker to come home and face the allegations against him. A warrant of arrest has been issued against Co, but he remains at large.

At least eight DPWH officials are now in government custody, as of November 24. – Rappler.com