DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday dismissed former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co’s claims linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, calling them “inconsistent” with the President’s “concrete” actions to hold erring officials accountable.
“In fact, kahapon lang, nagbigay siya ng report, comprehensive report, ng lahat ng ginawa ng gobyerno sa loob lamang ng tatlong buwan. Hindi ‘yun consistent dun sa sinasabi ni Congressman Zaldy Co na may involvement ang Presidente dito,” Dizon told reporters in Virac, Catanduanes.
He cited Marcos’ recent measures, including ordering an audit of government infrastructure projects, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), and promising to jail corrupt officials before Christmas.
“Kasi kung involved ka, bakit ikaw mismo magpapasabog? Bakit mo gagawin lahat ng ito? Bakit mo ibubuo ang isang independent commission? Bakit mo sasabihin na lahat ng dapat managot ay dapat managot? At bakit mo sasabihin na bago magpasko ay siguradong may makukulong?” he said.
Dizon added, “At most importantly, sabi niya, ‘Wala tayong sisinuhin, kung saan tayo dadali ng ebidensya, doon tayo pupunta,’ kahit sino pa ‘yan, kahit kamag-anak pa niya ‘yan.”
He also noted Co’s absence from the country as the controversy unfolded: “Nung nagsimula pa lang itong kontrobersiya, skandalo sa flood control, ang ginawa ni Congressman Zaldy Co ay umalis ng Pilipinas. So sinong paniniwalaan natin?”
The remarks respond to Co’s allegations that Marcos instructed DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to insert ₱100 billion worth of projects into the bicameral conference committee’s 2025 budget and that former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez told him to stay abroad for his safety.