Abbey Macalanda

Former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co released the third installment of his video series on Sunday, directly challenging Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla to investigate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over an alleged flood control kickback scandal.

The video concludes Co's trilogy of statements that have dominated social media and sparked intense political debate about corruption, accountability, and whether one of the Philippines' most powerful political dynasties engaged in systematic graft. 

In this latest installment, Co revised the scale of the alleged scandal, claiming the actual amount involved was ₱56 billion, not the previously reported ₱26 billion.

"Ang sinasabi nilang halaga sa ICI ay P21 billion. Hindi po totoo 'yan. Ang totoong numero ay P56 billion at ang halagang 'yan ay kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at Martin Romualdez napunta lahat," Co stated.

The former congressman disputed earlier claims by former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Henry Alcantara, who testified before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that Co personally pocketed ₱21 billion in kickbacks from flood control projects. Co insists he was merely a middleman following orders and that none of the money stayed with him. Instead, he alleges the entire amount was delivered to Marcos and Romualdez.

The most significant aspect of Part 3 is Co's public challenge to Ombudsman Remulla, questioning whether he will investigate his own close associates. 

“Hinahamon ko si Ombudsman Remulla kung seryoso talaga sya sa mga sinasabi nya sa kaniyang press release na idadamay niya pati si Martin Romualdez kung magbibigay ako ng ebidensya.”

["I challenge Ombudsman Remulla if he is truly serious about what he said in his press release — that he would include even Martin Romualdez if I provide evidence,"]

“Patunayan nya ngayon ang pronouncement nya. Imbestigahan nya ang fraternity brother at ang kaniyang kaibigan, si Speaker Martin Romualdez, kung talagang tutupad sya sa kaniyang tungkulin. Imbestigahan din nya si President BongBong Marcos.”

["He should prove his pronouncement now. He should investigate his fraternity brother and his friend, Speaker Martin Romualdez, if he really intends to fulfill his duty. He should also investigate President Bongbong Marcos."]  Co said. 

This challenge comes after the Office of the Ombudsman released a statement criticizing Co's approach of making unsworn allegations through social media videos rather than following proper legal procedures. 

Before Co's Part 3 video was posted, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a measured but firm statement addressing the former lawmaker's exposés.

"There is a rhythm to every serious investigation — a sequence that protects the truth, shields it from distortion, and preserves the integrity of the process. It is deliberate work, careful work, and at times, painfully slow work — but it is the only way to ensure that justice is real and not merely loud," the statement read.

The Ombudsman's office acknowledged frustration with Co's method, noting that while his videos contain "fragments of information that may carry weight," these cannot stand alone in court without sworn testimony. 

"Mr. Co, we respectfully urge you: submit your statements under oath, through the proper process, so they may be examined with the seriousness they deserve," the Ombudsman added. 

"If the intention is to help uncover the truth, then let us pursue it in the manner that leads to real and enforceable accountability — not through spectacle, but through the rules that govern us all."

Co's Part 3 video took a darker turn as he expressed fear for his life and his family's safety following his public revelations. 

He recounted that he initially trusted Romualdez's promise to "take care of him," but claims the former Speaker began threatening him starting in March 2025. 

According to Co, Romualdez told him he would be "shot" if he spoke out about the alleged corruption. 

He also claimed another phone call warned him not to return to the Philippines because "they might hire someone to do a rub-out" or have him killed in jail.

“Sa inyong lahat sa Pilipinas, lalong lalo na sa aking pamilya, taos puso akong humihingi ng paumanhin.”

["To all of you in the Philippines, especially my family, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness,"] Co said. 

The Presidential Communications Office swiftly responded to Co's latest allegations, categorically rejecting them as false. 

Malacañang dismissed Co's Part 3 video as containing nothing but "lies," standing firm in its denial of any presidential involvement in corruption related to flood control projects.

Rather than placing his hopes in the Ombudsman's investigation, Co stated he expects the Senate to pursue the truth through its own inquiry into the flood control scandal. 

He also predicted that his legal problems will multiply following his revelations, alleging that "the current administration is using all of its resources" to destroy his credibility.

Co also emphasized that what he has disclosed so far represents only a fraction of the evidence he possesses.

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Former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co has broken months of silence from his undisclosed location abroad, releasing two videos that directly implicate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in alleged corruption involving the 2025 national budget.

In his first video released on November 17, 2025, Co alleged that PBBM personally ordered him to insert P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The former House Appropriations Committee chairman claimed he received this directive through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman during the 2024 bicameral conference committee.

Co said Pangandaman called him to relay the President's instructions in the presence of Usec. Adrian Bersamin. According to Co, when he immediately reported this to Romualdez, the former Speaker's response was direct:

"Whatever the President wants, (the President) gets."

Zaldy Co provided specific details, stating that Bersamin told him that the list of projects came directly from the President in a "brown leather bag." Co shared what he alleged was the actual list of insertions, including a P5.4 billion allocation for the Office of the President earmarked for the 2026 ASEAN Summit.

In the first video, Co revealed he had been ordered by Romualdez, supposedly on behalf of Marcos, to stay abroad and remain silent. He left the Philippines on July 19, 2025, ostensibly for medical treatment, and was told not to return after the State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

“Noon naniniwala pa ako sa kanila, kaya’t hindi ako bumalik. Tumikom ang aking bibig. Sumunod ako,” 

(“I believed them. That's why I didn't return. I shut my mouth. I followed instructions,") Co said, explaining his months-long absence as investigations into flood control corruption intensified.)

His second video, released on November 16, 2025, contained additional allegations. Co claimed President Marcos received P25 billion in kickbacks from the P100 billion budget insertions - exactly 25% as "standard operating procedure."

Co stated that he personally delivered suitcases full of cash to the residences of both Marcos and Romualdez. 

“Ako lang at ang aking mga tao. Sila Paul Estrada, Mark Tecsay, at ang aking mga security ang nag deliver papunta sa bahay nila Pangulong BongBong Marcos at Speaker Martin Romualdez sa North Forbes Park, South Forbes Park, hanggang sa Malacañang,”

(“It was just me and my staff — Paul Estrada, Mark Tecsay and my security guards who delivered to the houses of President Bongbong Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez in North Forbes Park, South Forbes Park up to Malacañang,”) Co stated. 

Co also confirmed the testimony of his former security aide Orly Guteza, who had previously told a Senate panel about delivering luggage filled with money to Forbes Park and Malacañang. Co's video included photos of what he claimed were the actual suitcases used for these deliveries.

The former lawmaker insisted he received nothing from these transactions. 

"All the insertions went to our President and Speaker Martin Romualdez," he claimed, attempting to position himself as merely a facilitator rather than a beneficiary.

These revelations come amid ongoing investigations into corruption in flood control projects. Co himself faces allegations of receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects, with many reportedly involving substandard materials or existing only on paper. 

Complaints against him have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, and formal charges are expected.

President Marcos had previously disclosed that just 15 out of 2,000 private contractors captured a large chunk of flood control projects, including several allegedly owned by Co and his family. 

The President had launched a high-profile campaign to expose unfinished, substandard, and "ghost" projects worth billions of pesos.

Malacañang immediately dismissed Co's allegations as "pure hearsay," with Palace officials challenging him to return to the Philippines and make his claims under oath. 

Acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez called for Co to "come back to the country and sign everything he said under oath with the proper judicial authorities."

Former Speaker Romualdez rejected the allegations, stating:

‍"My conscience remains clear. Throughout this inquiry, no public official, contractor or witness has pointed to any wrongdoing on my part."

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson emphasized that Co's social media posts carry no legal weight as evidence since they weren't made under oath.

He noted that while some projects Co mentioned do exist in the 2025 budget, there are glaring inconsistencies in the timeline of alleged kickback deliveries.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure announced it is "carefully reviewing" Co's statements as part of its ongoing investigation into infrastructure anomalies.

Co's motivations for releasing these videos remain subject to analysis. Some observers suggest he may be seeking leverage in his own legal proceedings, while others note the timing coincided with scheduled anti-corruption rallies.

What remains evident is that Co's allegations, if substantiated, would indicate corruption at the highest levels of government. 

The former congressman concluded his first video expressing concern for his safety, stating he hoped he "would not be killed before being able to release everything" about what occurred "behind the curtain." 

“Sana po ay hindi nila ako mapatay, bago ko mailabas ang lahat.”

As investigations continue and calls increase for Co to formalize his allegations through proper legal channels, the political landscape of the Philippines faces another corruption scandal that could have significant implications for the Marcos administration and the country's governance.

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Every November 13th, World Kindness Day serves as a reminder that small acts of compassion can create ripples of positive change. 

World Kindness Day began in 1998, established by the World Kindness Movement – a coalition of kindness organizations from various nations. 

The day encourages individuals to look beyond cultural, religious, and political differences to recognize the fundamental humanity we all share. 

The premise is simple - kindness is a universal language that transcends all barriers.

Research consistently shows that practicing kindness benefits both the giver and receiver. 

Acts of kindness trigger the release of oxytocin, which reduces stress and promotes feelings of warmth and connection. 

Moreover, communities where people support each other tend to be healthier, safer, and genuinely happier.

And, as we’re living in an era where everyone can share their opinions with a single tap, kindness also shows up in new ways

Sometimes it’s as simple as leaving a supportive comment, sharing something uplifting, or choosing positivity when it’s easier to do the opposite. 

Those small actions can make our online spaces feel more human and genuinely connected.

World Kindness Day reminds us that it’s the little moments of kindness that make the biggest difference.

This celebration reminds us that simple moments of genuine care and consideration can transform someone's entire day. These small actions accumulate over time, shifting perspectives and inspiring others to pass kindness forward, creating an ever-expanding circle of goodwill.

While November 13th serves as an annual reminder, the true spirit of World Kindness Day extends throughout the year. 

Remember, doing good and choosing kindness each day will never steer us in the wrong direction.

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Philippine Airlines officially opened its cabins to four-legged passengers starting on November 12, 2025, introducing the FurPAL Program that allows small dogs to travel with their owners to popular destinations, including Boracay, Bohol, and Siargao. 

The national carrier's pet-friendly initiative welcomes dogs weighing up to 10 kilograms that are at least eight weeks old and fully weaned. Each passenger can bring one pet, with flights accommodating a maximum of three small dogs per trip.

Pets must travel in soft-sided, leak-proof carriers measuring no more than 17 inches by 11 inches by 9.5 inches, which remain under the seat in front of the passenger throughout the flight.

“We are initially offering this service for small dogs and can expand to other dog sizes and pet types depending on aviation security and safety regulations,” explained PAL Vice President for Marketing Alvin Miranda.

The FurPAL Program addresses growing demand from Filipino pet owners who consider their dogs family members and previously had limited travel options. 

Beach-loving fur babies can now join their families on Boracay's white sand shores, explore Bohol's Chocolate Hills, or experience Siargao's island life without the stress of cargo travel or finding pet sitters.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured the public that those responsible for the flood control projects anomaly will be held accountable, with arrests expected before the year ends.

When asked whether anyone would be imprisoned for their involvement in the scandal, President Marcos gave a definitive timeline for justice.

“Palagay ko, hindi palagay ko ,alam ko bago magpasko marami papangalanan at marami palagay ko makukulong, buo na kaso nila, wala silang merry christmas, bago mag-christmas makukulong na sila”

["I know—before Christmas many will be named and many will be jailed. Their cases are complete. They won't have a merry Christmas. Before Christmas, they'll be in jail,"] PBBM stated firmly.

President Marcos emphasized that accountability will not be limited to contractors or private individuals involved in the anomaly. Politicians implicated in the scandal will also face consequences, signaling a comprehensive crackdown on all parties involved in the corruption scheme.

The President's strong statement comes amid ongoing Senate investigations into the flood control projects scandal, which has revealed alleged misuse of public funds intended for critical infrastructure meant to protect communities from flooding.

This timeline suggests law enforcement agencies have been building solid cases against those involved, with sufficient evidence now gathered to proceed with arrests. 

The President's confidence in announcing imminent arrests before the holidays indicates the investigations have reached their final stages.

The flood control scandal has drawn significant public attention as it involves essential infrastructure projects that directly impact public safety during the rainy season. With the President's assurance of swift action, Filipinos expect major developments in the case within the coming weeks.

Will the promised arrests materialize before year-end, and will high-ranking politicians truly face the consequences of their involvement in this massive corruption scandal?  - with reports from Nel Maribojoc, UNTV Correspondent

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