Co: I didn’t benefit from budget insertions, Marcos, Romualdez did

AMID the ongoing controversy surrounding flood-control projects, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co has denied benefiting from alleged budget insertions, claiming President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez were the recipients.

In a recently released video, Co presented images of suitcases allegedly filled with cash, claiming they were delivered to Romualdez’s residence in North and South Forbes Park, as well as to Malacañang Palace for the President. “No money went to me. All the insertions went to the President and to Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Co stated.

Co also referenced Orly Guteza, a former member of his staff who previously implicated him in a kickback scheme related to infrastructure contracts. Co asserted that Guteza’s claims of delivering money to Forbes Park and Malacañang were true.

Malacañang Palace has dismissed Co’s claims as “hearsay” with “no basis and no evidence.” These accusations and denials continue to fuel the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged corruption in flood-control projects and the national budget.