PCO Speaks on Marcos Jr. amid Zaldy Co’s Budget Insertion Accusations vs. Son Sandro
MARCOS JR. – Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez claimed that the President assured that he’s looking into the projects of his son, Ilocos Norte Congressman Sandro Marcos, amid the budget insertion accusation against him.
Former House Budget Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co has yet to return to the Philippines amid the call for him to face the flood control corruption accusations against him. He previously claimed that he was allegedly told by former Speaker Martin Romualdez to stay out of the country as supposedly instructed by the President.
Zaldy Co also accused Marcos Jr. and Romualdez of alleged P100-billion budget insertion in the 2025 national fund. Furthermore, he also claimed that the President and the former House Speaker supposedly received a P56 billion kickback all for themselves.
Aside from Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co also tagged presidential son and Ilocos Norte Cong. Sandro Marcos in the budget insertion mess. According to him, the presidential Son supposedly inserted over P50 billion in the national budget from 2022 to 2025.
The resigned House member also noted the alleged increasing trend of the budget insertion of the younger Marcos. It earned the Ilocos Norte Congress countless criticisms while there were also people who defended him and strengthened the call for Co to return to the country and face the allegations against him.
Following the budget insertion accusations of Zaldy Co, Ilocos Norte Cong. Sandro Marcos claimed that he is willing to cooperate in the investigation of the ICI or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. The three-member body was created upon the order of Marcos Jr. for the investigation of the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
Amid the name of presidential son and Ilocos Norte Cong. Sandro Marcos being tagged into the budget insertion mess, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez spoke on the side of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to the PCO Chief, Marcos Jr. believes that his son is not involved in project anomalies but assured that he is having those projects mentioned checked.
“The President… said that he believes that so far, there are no allegations of corruption in those projects. But he assured me yesterday that he’s looking into it,” the PCO Secretary said.
Ilocos Norte Cong. Sandro Marcos recently appeared before the ICI. Based on a report on Inquirer, the Marcos scion requested for the hearing not to be livestreams citing the confidentiality of the process. The commission immediately granted the request of the Congressman.
“I am here to lend anything that I know that will aid the ICI in their investigation. As I said, I am not hiding anything, so I am happy to assist them in any way, shape or form,” the younger Marcos said.
Previously, presidential son and Ilocos Norte Cong. Sandro Marcos responded to the accusations of Zaldy Co against him.