“If the President were behind the alleged anomalies, why would he be the one to unveil them?”
I’ve been watching the political circus unfold following the release of Rep. Zaldy Co’s video statements and the project list he’s been pushing.
Honestly, as the noise grows, one central, undeniable fact remains: Co has not presented a single shred of evidence directly linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the alleged P100 billion budget insertion he’s claiming.
Yes, the documents list projects and amounts—the kind of things you’d find in any draft national budget—but there is no directive from Malacañang, no email, no communication proving the President ordered these “insertions.”
As Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations, I feel strongly that public judgment must be guided by evidence, not theatrics.
The Context Behind These Sudden Accusations
It’s hard not to be skeptical about the timing.
A recent national security assessment pointed out that Co’s revelations conveniently align with supposed rallies being organized to put pressure on the administration.
I see this as potentially part of a calculated effort to destabilize the government by spreading misleading narratives targeted at the President.
It’s crucial we demand fact-based scrutiny instead of reacting to what looks like orchestrated timing and political noise.
Why Not Testify Under Oath?
This is the biggest question mark for me.
Co’s choice to air his accusations from overseas instead of appearing before Senate inquiries or providing sworn testimony is highly suspect.
I’ll put it plainly: If your intention is to tell the truth, the strongest and most legitimate place to do that is under oath, not from the safe harbor of another country.
Our legal and legislative institutions exist precisely so that claims can be examined fairly and transparently.
Statements made abroad, without the accountability of cross-examination, naturally leave far more questions than answers, especially when he has full legal recourse here in the Philippines.
A Veto That Speaks Louder Than Allegations
There is a public record that flatly contradicts Co’s claim, and I want everyone to remember it: President Marcos Jr. vetoed P194 billion worth of items in the 2025 national budget.
This is my point:
A leader who vetoes nearly P200 billion in budget items is clearly not someone who is trying to protect questionable insertions.
The documented fact is that the President was removing items that raised concerns, not adding to them. This completely undermines the suggestion that he would secretly endorse irregular allocations.
The Contradictions in Co’s Story
I also see clear inconsistencies in Co’s own narrative.
Think about this: President Marcos Jr. himself exposed the flood control irregularities and ordered a deeper investigation.
I have to ask: If the President were behind the alleged anomalies, why would he be the one to unveil them?
Who exposes their own supposed wrongdoing? These questions highlight the gaping holes in Co’s claims, which, again, remain completely unsupported by documentary evidence.
Institutional Strengthening in Motion
What I observe is a government actively strengthening checks and balances, not weakening them. You cannot fake institutional reforms. You can only implement them if you are genuinely committed to fixing the system, and that is what I see the Marcos administration doing.
Evidence, Not Noise
Co’s statements may prompt discussion, but that’s all they are—just discussion. We need to be clear about what’s missing:
- Lists are not directives.
- Allegations are not conclusions.
- Timing is not evidence.
As I’ve repeatedly emphasized: Truth does not hide behind edited videos or selective releases. It must be presented openly, under oath, before the institutions of our Republic.
Filipinos deserve a conversation grounded in verified facts and proper process, not narratives released abroad or timed for public spectacle.
Clarity, not noise, must guide the nation’s understanding.
The Marcos administration, thankfully, continues to focus on governance, accountability, and the real work that matters.
(The writer, holder of law, national security administration and doctorate in philosophy degrees, serves as Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement.)
