Marcos Ordered P100-B Budget Insertion; Shoot Me If I Talk — Co

Former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co,

Marcos Ordered P100-B Budget Insertion; Shoot Me If I Talk — Co

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | November 14, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A political earthquake has struck the country as former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, once a key player in the halls of power, now claims his life is in danger “for knowing too much.”

In a bombshell video statement, Co alleges that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself ordered a staggering P100 billion (US$1.8 billion) budget insertion into the 2025 national budget, a move Co now fears will make him a scapegoat in a “fake” anti-corruption campaign.

Co admits to the insertion but insists he acted under direct instruction from Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The alleged P100 billion windfall, earmarked for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects and unprogrammed funds, was reportedly discussed with key government figures, including Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Ameenah Pangandaman, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, and Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Jose Cadiz.

“The administration is using all the resources of the country to silence me,” Co declares in the video.

“They will shoot me if I talk, and [they] will use me as a scapegoat in their campaign against corruption.”

Co’s claims paint a picture of high-level corruption and a desperate attempt to cover it up.

He alleges Romualdez instructed him to flee the country after the insertion, promising protection.

He said he complied, only to find himself “branded as the villain.”

“Stay out of the country. You will be well taken care of, as instructed by the president. I believed them then; that’s why I didn’t return… They made me the poster boy of their own lies,” Co declares.

Trillions in ‘Ghost Projects’?

The allegations come amid a separate, equally explosive scandal involving the DPWH.

A former security consultant for Co, Orly Guteza, had testified to the Senate about a vast kickback scheme involving trillions of pesos diverted into non-existent flood control projects.

Guteza claimed his role was to transport massive amounts of cash, referred to as “basura” (trash), representing kickbacks from government contracts.

The Senate investigation is now scrambling to corroborate Guteza’s testimony, but key witnesses, including Co’s executive assistants John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay, have reportedly fled the country, raising serious questions about the depth and breadth of the alleged corruption.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson stated: “We are in pursuit of individuals who can substantiate Guteza’s statements.”

The allegations, if proven true, would expose a level of corruption that could cripple public trust and undermine the nation’s efforts to combat flooding.

The President’s office has yet to respond to the allegations, but the political fallout is expected to be immense.

The Senate has vowed to hold those responsible accountable.