THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has clarified that former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co needs to formally submit his evidence following his recent “explosive” allegations before it can be subjected to review and verification.
The DOJ’s statement comes after Co released a series of videos on his Facebook account, where he directly accused President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of allegedly receiving billions of pesos in kickbacks from the P100 billion budget insertions in the 2025 budget.
DOJ Spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez emphasized that evidence, such as photos or videos, must be part of formal proceedings before it can undergo authentication and verification. “Ang mga ebidensiya gaya ng mga litrato o video ay kailangang maging parte ng mga proceedings na dapat pormal na ihain bago sumailalim sa authentication at verification,” Martinez stated.
The DOJ’s stance underscores the importance of adhering to proper legal procedures in handling serious accusations, ensuring that any evidence presented is thoroughly examined and verified before any conclusions are drawn. The DOJ’s clarification also serves as a reminder that allegations made on social media, while potentially impactful, do not carry the same weight as evidence presented in a formal legal setting.
Martinez had previously stated that the government is ready to place Co under the Witness Protection Program should he request it. However, he stressed that Co needs to personally coordinate with the DOJ to apply for the program. The DOJ’s offer of protection highlights the gravity of Co’s allegations and the potential risks involved in coming forward with such information.
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