Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co’s credibility is “rapidly collapsing” amid the latter’s accusations that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez received billions in alleged kickbacks from a flood control scheme.
In a televised interview, Gomez said Malacañang considers Co’s claims both baseless and “structurally impossible.”
He pointed out that a supposed ₱100-billion budget insertion could not have been made during the bicameral conference committee, contradicting Co’s narrative.
“Mag-iinsert ka ng ₱100 billion sa bicam when this is the President’s budget… sa National Expenditure Program dapat ‘yun inilagay,” Gomez said.
He added that Marcos vetoed ₱194 billion in questionable appropriations, undermining allegations of covert insertions.
“At the end of the day, ₱194 billion ang kanyang vineto. So medyo ayusin muna ni Cong. Zaldy Co ang script,” Gomez said, calling Co’s video exposé “unserious” and full of inconsistencies.
“Noong nakita namin ang video na punong-puno ng loopholes, medyo natawa na lang kami,” he added.
Gomez also dismissed Co’s claim that he did not benefit from the alleged scheme.
“At ang pinaka-nakakatawa sa lahat, ni singkong duling wala daw siyang ibinulsa… pababa nang pababa ang kredibilidad ni Cong. Zaldy Co,” he said.
He suggested that Co released the three-part video only after losing political leverage.
Despite the controversy, Gomez assured the public—including INC members holding protests—that the administration’s anti-corruption efforts remain firm.
“We hear them, we feel you, and we will not disappoint you,” he said, reiterating Marcos’ promise that those accountable “would be jailed before Christmas.”