Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co on Wednesday accused Martin Araneta, brother of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, of influencing onion importation during the 2022 price surge.
In his latest social media post criticizing the Marcos administration, Co recalled that during a 2022 House inquiry led by then–Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Representative Toto Suansing, Araneta was allegedly linked to an importation setup that pushed onion prices to ₱600 per kilo—far above what Co said should have been around ₱80.
“Umabot ng ₱600 kada kilo, gayong dapat ay nasa ₱80 lang. Doon lumabas ang pangalan ni Martin Araneta bilang isa sa mga nasa likod ng kontrol sa importasyon ng sibuyas,” Co said.
He further claimed that the investigation was abruptly halted due to supposed Palace intervention, alleging that First Lady Liza Marcos contacted then–House Speaker Martin Romualdez to stop the proceedings.
“Tinawagan daw siya ni First Lady Liza Marcos at ipinapatigil ang imbestigasyon kaya walang natuloy at walang naparusahan,” he said.
Co argued that the suspension of the inquiry “made sense” only if Araneta was indeed controlling onion prices.
The First Lady previously denied that her brother or his associate Michael Ma had any involvement in onion smuggling or hoarding, calling the accusations “unfounded.”