Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan pushed back against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s claim that “Pinklawans” and “communists” have been silent amid Zaldy Co’s allegations involving President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the 2025 national budget.
Dela Rosa, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier suggested that supporters of former Vice President Leni Robredo—including Pangilinan, her 2022 running mate—were supposedly quiet on the controversy.
In a social media post on Saturday, November 15, Pangilinan dismissed the accusation.
“Hindi kami nananahimik, nagmamasid kami at tinitimbang nang husto kung ano sa paniwala namin ang pinakamainam hindi para sa sinuman na nakaupo kundi para sa palagay namin ay ikabubuti ng bansa,” he said.
He added, “Responsibilidad namin tiyakin na may saysay ang ingay namin at mauuwi ito sa pagpapanagot sa mga nagkasala.”
Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co earlier claimed there was a ₱100 billion insertion in the national budget allegedly involving President Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
In the second installment of his exposé, Co released supposed receipts to support his claim that suitcases of money were delivered to both officials.