ICI takes Co videos with grain of salt

MANILA, Philippines — Can resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co’s allegations on social media about P100 billion worth of budget insertions be admissible as evidence in the ongoing flood control corruption probe?

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Keith Hosaka, at a press briefing yesterday, noted that the videos were unsworn affidavits and on the surface appeared to be highly edited video recordings.

“The commission will look into whether it is a verified information or acceptable evidence. It is a crucial factor if this was done under oath to show that whatever was said in the statement or video is truthful,” he said.

Hosaka noted the strict requirements under the Rules of Court for documentary and digital evidence: “Videos have to be untampered… the person taking that video should verify and validate it.”

“It may be difficult to submit and get accepted as evidence by the courts,” he added.

“We’re taking (such clips) with a grain of salt because they are not verified. It’s better if anyone with that kind of information comes to the commission and testifies under oath so the evidence is solid,” Hosaka said.

As it stands, Hosaka said Co’s social media postings couldn’t be used as evidence unless they have other submitted evidence, which are “verified and strong.”

Oversight gaps

During plenary debates on the 2026 national budget yesterday, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian disclosed that flood control projects costing below P5 billion do not undergo review at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), leaving many projects outside the agency’s scrutiny.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who asked about the flood control spending, warned that gaps in oversight enable the “splitting” of large infrastructure projects – a practice repeatedly flagged in Blue Ribbon hearings. — Janvic Mateo, Neil Jayson Servallos