MALACAÑANG on Wednesday dismissed as a “lousy script” the allegations raised by lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 former security staff of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co that they distributed some P805 billion to several officials, including about P115 million to support the ongoing investigation of the International Criminal Court
Palace Press Office Claire Castro said their accusations were “recycled lies against the President.”
“(The script) is not polished. You know there’s lying,” she said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the fresh attempt to link the President to the flood control scandal also appeared to be part of destabilization efforts against the government.
“It looks like there’s a political color to it. Not just political color… it seems like there’s also a destabilization aspect,” Lacson said.
Lacson, who headed the Blue Ribbon panel that investigated allegedly anomalous flood control projects, said the scale of the claimed payouts strains credibility when measured against actual government spending on flood control efforts.
“They said that P805 billion was allocated or distributed or went to Congressman Zaldy Co. From 2023 to 2025, the total amount for flood control projects is P1.3 trillion,” he said, adding the payouts would represent close to 70 percent of the total funding allocation.
“The figures are grossly inflated,” the senator added.
Asked whether Malacañang would pursue legal action against those spreading what she described as false information, Castro said law enforcement agencies should act on their own.
“There’s the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. It is their obligation to file cases against those who spread fake news,” Castro said.
As this developed, the Philippine Navy said four of the 18 ex-security personnel of Co who introduced themselves as former members of the Philippine Marine Corps did not serve in the military and many of the others were dishonorably discharged from service.
“We remind the public to be discerning and to verify the accuracy and credibility of information, including the source and platform used, in order to help prevent and counter misinformation, disinformation and malinformation which have become increasingly prevalent,” Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said.
Philippine Marine Corps chief Vicente MAP Blanco III on Wednesday said the former Marines who joined Baligod are “unworthy of our respect.”
“They did this on their own personal volition and as such, we should always look with disdain against opportunistic groups or individuals trying to link their actions as being true Marine – they are unworthy of our respect,” Blanco said.
