Statement of Malacañang on ‘Suitcase Photos’ of Zaldy Co
Malacañang reacted to the ‘suitcase photos’ of Zaldy Co amid the allegations of corruption against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Countless Filipinos were dismayed by the alleged involvement of some senators and congressmen in the flood control mess. Last September 21, thousands of Filipinos including some known personalities in the showbiz industry joined the action protest called the “Trillion Peso March” to call for an end to corruption in the country.
Amid the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption, Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent body that will investigate the flood control issue — the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The House of Representatives stopped its flood control investigation after the creation of the ICI but the Senate pushed through with its probe.
One of the witnesses at the Senate flood control hearing was Orly Guteza who claimed that he was allegedly a former aide of Zaldy Co. The resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative is one of those who are tagged in the supposed multi-billion corruption in the country.
Guteza claimed that he was part of the team who allegedly delivered suitcases filled with money to the residences of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co. He also claimed that he has allegedly delivered “basura” as what they call the luggage to Malacañang.
Recently, after tagging Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez to the corruption issue, Zaldy Co confirmed the claims of Orly Guteza. The former marine was presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta during a flood control probe in the upper chamber.
In a series of videos posted on social media, Zaldy Co included photos of piles of suitcase. Recently, Malacañang reacted to the said photos amid the accusations of the former House member against Marcos.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro claimed that the suitcases allegedly do not prove the allegations of Zaldy Co against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. According to her, they remain as suitcases.
“Kung ipapakita ba sa iyo yang mga maleta na iyan. Nagpo-prove na iyan ng pera? Wala. Maleta lang,” Castro told DZMM Teleradyo.
Furthermore, based on the report, the Malacañang press official also claimed that Zaldy Co is allegedly just making up stories against the President. She stressed that the suitcase photos allegedly do not prove anything.
“Anong na-prove niyan? Wala. Paninira. Gawa-gawang kwento,” she expressed.
Recently, the Palace also spoke about the side of Pres. Bongbong Marcos on the allegations against him by Zaldy Co.