Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co has made public a confidential letter alleging that then–Senate President Chiz Escudero pressured the bicameral conference committee to secure ₱200 billion in Senate insertions during the passage of the 2025 national budget.
Co said the letter, sent to President Bongbong Marcos in February 2025, outlined what occurred during the December 2024 budget meetings.
He wrote that senators failed to uphold Marcos’ priorities for food, health, and basic services, stating: “For the 2025 budget, none of our Senate counterparts adhered to Your Excellency’s campaign promise…”
According to Co, Escudero pushed for ₱200 billion, later adjusted to ₱150 billion in programmed funds and ₱50 billion in unprogrammed appropriations. He said ₱145 billion was allotted to the DPWH—exceeding its usual levels—while ₱5 billion went to AKAP.
“I repeatedly warned SP Chiz of the Senate’s very large DPWH allocation… But he doesn’t want to give way,” Co added.
Co further claimed Escudero threatened to delay deliberations until March 2025, risking a reenacted budget.
He said he informed then-DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who allegedly relayed Marcos’ response: “Don’t ever think about it.” Co said this left the House “with no choice but to concede.”
He added that he cautioned budget officials about the impact on education spending, stressing that the Constitution requires education to receive the highest allocation. Co noted that Senate insertions in programmed funds had already risen from ₱150 billion in 2023 to ₱165 billion in 2024.