De Lima urges Zaldy Co to return and confess claims under oath
MANILA, Philippines — After former Rep. Elizaldy Co's confession, Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) said he should return to the Philippines and testify under oath in the flood control and infrastructure investigations.
"We urge former Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the country and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects. He should take an oath and tell the whole truth before the proper forum," she said in a statement on Friday, November 14.
Some people have already raised the possibility that Co's confession may even be considered "hearsay" if it wasn't done under oath or testified during a trial or hearing. This means that the verbal "evidence" presented by Co may not be admissible before a proper court.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Department of Budget and Management Usec. Goddes Libiran dismissed Co's claims as lies, saying he is only looking for someone to blame.
"Kasinungalingan. Pure hearsay, not under oath. Naghahanap ka lang ng maituturo (You're just looking for someone to point fingers at)," she said.
Sen. Ping Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the flood control anomalies, said Co's statement "has no probative value" since it was not under oath.
"Pumunta siya rito, mag-take oath siya at sabihin niya ang statement niya, then 'yun ang may probative value," he said. (He should attend the hearing, take his oath and deliver his statement, then that has probative value.)
Co released a 5-minute video to the public detailing how he manipulated the 2025 national budget, but without taking blame. Instead, he pointed fingers at President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, claiming they ordered him to.
He tagged several other officials, including Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Usec. Adrian Bersamin of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and Department of Justice Usec. Jojo Cadiz, saying they were the ones who discussed with him the alleged instruction to insert P100 billion.
According to Co, the P100 billion in projects was added to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget and to other items under unprogrammed appropriations. In a document sent to reporters supposedly listing the projects, the agency got roughly P18.01 billion, while the remaining P18.7 billion went to other agencies.
Co said he made the insertions during the 2024 bicameral conference committee, the final stage where congressional changes to the budget bill may still be introduced. These statements now contradict his earlier arguments that he did not manipulate the budget.
The embattled lawmaker's video, however, is just one of two parts his office plans on releasing.
If any of Co’s allegations against high-ranking officials are proven false or defamatory, his online testimony could expose him to legal liabilities such as libel or slander.
Co has been out of the country for almost four months already, since he left on July 19 for a medical check-up. He resigned as a member of the House of Representatives when House Speaker Bojie Dy ordered his return and an ethics complaint was filed against him.
The former lawmaker faces allegations that go beyond budget manipulation, including receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects like flood control and benefiting from his ties to top government contractors.
Complaints have already been lodged against him and formal charges are expected after authorities like the DOJ and Ombudsman complete their preliminary investigations.
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