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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