The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that no case has been filed and no subpoena has been issued against former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co following his controversial claims on the alleged ₱100-billion budget insertions ordered by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a radio interview on November 17, Prosecutor General Atty. Richard Anthony Fadullon said the DOJ has not received any formal case related to Co.
“As far as the Department of Justice is concerned, wala pa pong kaso na naisasampa laban sa kaniya,” he said, adding, “Kung kaya’t siguro wala talagang subpoena na maipapadala pa.”
Fadullon clarified that he could not speak for the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting its own inquiries.
“Mayroon din po silang sarili nilang mga imbestigasyon… base sa mga kasong isinasampa ng ICI at base sa resulta ng kanilang mga sariling imbestigasyon,” he noted.
He also explained that the complaint earlier submitted by the NBI on September 26 has not yet reached the level of an official case.
According to Fadullon, the DOJ must first determine if the evidence is sufficient for preliminary investigation.
“Kapag kulang po ito, mayroon pong kapangyarihan ang kagawaran na ibalik ito sa NBI,” he said, stressing that the matter is still in the evaluation or referral stage.
Co previously alleged that Marcos ordered the insertion of ₱100 billion into the 2025 national budget.