‘Face the music’: Palace, Ombudsman call on Co to properly submit evidence on kickback claims
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang dismissed the latest allegations of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, calling them “hearsay” and reiterating its public challenge for him to return to the Philippines and “face the music.”
Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez on Saturday, November 15, slammed Co’s repeated claims, saying the former lawmaker’s latest video shows no new evidence.
“We may begin to sound like a broken record. What he is saying is a bunch of hearsay. Sabi nito, sabi ni ano. Hindi nag-rewrite ng script sa second video kahit na kanal na ‘yung una,” Gomez said, referring to Co’s two-part that alleged large sums of money were delivered to high-ranking officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
RELATED: Zaldy Co claims he personally delivered cash-filled suitcases to Marcos, Romualdez
Gomez reiterated the Palace’s challenge to Co, calling on him to return to the country, testify under oath and substantiate his claims before the proper judicial authorities.
“We continue to issue the same challenge. Come home, sign these under oath and face the music,” Gomez said.
Malacañang has previously described Co’s earlier allegations as “wild accusations” lacking any factual basis, saying that Marcos has taken steps to investigate irregularities, ensure accountability and recover any allegedly misused funds.
Ombudsman urges formal cooperation
The Office of the Ombudsman urged Co to submit his statements and evidence under oath through formal investigative channels, criticizing his choice to release information through social media and public videos instead of cooperating with proper procedures.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Ombudsman stressed that serious investigations follow a deliberate and methodical process designed to protect the truth, ensure accuracy and preserve the integrity of the process.
"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 expressed frustration over Co’s decision to bypass formal procedures, saying that releasing information via videos forces investigators to pause, verify and sift through what is said and unsaid, slowing down the process.
"Every time a witness chooses the stage instead of the sworn desk, the investigation is forced to pause, to verify, to sift through what is said and what is left unsaid. And that is exactly why this process takes time," it added.
The statement noted that unlike the court of public opinion, the Ombudsman must rigorously evaluate every witness, cross-check every claim and test credibility before acting.
"The question, then, is simple: why does Mr. Co expect his statements to be taken at face value when every other witness is — as they must be — subjected to scrutiny?" the Ombudsman said.
The office also reminded Co that it had already opened its doors and encouraged him to cooperate formally. Instead of submitting statements under oath, the Ombudsman said investigators are left to piece together fragments from public videos, which, while carrying weight, cannot stand alone in a court of law.
The path to the truth is here. It has always been here. 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 statement read.
The Ombudsman concluded that accountability is impartial and must follow established rules.
“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. Let the facts speak. Let the truth stand. Accountability does not choose its target. Let the axe fall where it should,” the Ombudsman said.
What Co claims in his second video
Co on Saturday released the second part of his video, alleging P100-billion insertions in the national budget and claiming he personally delivered suitcases of cash to Marcos and Romualdez.
In the video, Co identified himself, his staff and security aides as the people who made the deliveries to the officials’ residences in North and South Forbes Park and to Malacañang. He also released photos of the alleged cash-filled suitcases.
Co backed claims by his former security aide, Orly Guteza, who in September said he delivered 46 suitcases of cash, but whose affidavit later faced authenticity questions.
The former lawmaker further claimed Marcos received P25 billion from the insertions while he personally received nothing.
Philstar.com asked Co’s office to clarify inconsistencies in his timeline, noting that some alleged deliveries referenced in the video occurred in early 2024, even though the insertions were said to be finalized in December 2024. Co’s office has yet to respond. — with a report from Dominique Nicole Flores
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