Former Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor revealed on Friday that former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co is prepared to testify in the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., particularly on alleged kickbacks tied to anomalous flood control projects.
Defensor said Co has expressed readiness to bolster the complaint and share details of corruption and budget manipulation.
“In the case of Cong. Zaldy Co, he is willing to be a witness. Kung hindi man siya napayagan sa Blue Ribbon Committee na mag-Zoom, and we have done that alam nyo ho yan, under suspended Rules pinapayagan natin yan, kung magagawa ito sa impeachment at naniniwala silang dapat malaman ang katotohanan at syempre bigyan din ng pagkakataon ang Presidente na sumagot dito sa mga charges na nandito,” Defensor said.
“Zaldy Co is willing to testify on our behalf, dun sa graft and corruption issue at sa lahat ng nalalaman niyang bigayan ng pera maging yung pag-aayos ng budget in the unprogrammed allocation,” he added.
Co, who chaired the House Committee on Appropriations during the passage of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 national budgets, previously posted videos on social media claiming he delivered luggage filled with cash intended for Marcos. He clarified, however, that the money was handed to another individual and not directly to the President.
Defensor’s group attempted to file the impeachment complaint last Thursday but was unable to do so because House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil was abroad on an official trip.
Defensor said they will challenge the refusal of the Office of the Secretary General to accept the filing, stressing that under House Rules, the complaint should be lodged with the Office itself rather than directly with the Secretary General.
He added that their group is now weighing its next legal steps, including whether to return to the Office of the Secretary General to formally submit the complaint.