Ombudsman urges Co to formalize allegations, guarantees safety

THE Office of the Ombudsman has called on former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to formally submit his allegations regarding the anomalous flood control projects, rather than disseminating information through social media and video clips.

The Ombudsman guaranteed Co’s safety should he decide to reveal everything to the office, while emphasizing that all information will be thoroughly evaluated for credibility.

Co recently accused President Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of making P100 billion worth of “insertions” in the 2025 annual budget, claiming the Marcos administration was attempting to silence him.

The Ombudsman, in a public statement, expressed “deep frustration” with Co’s approach, stating that he should submit himself to the formal processes of institutions designed for deliberate and careful investigations.

“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,” the Ombudsman said. The office stressed that it has already extended the opportunity for Co to cooperate and submit his evidence.

“Instead, we are forced to piece together fragments from videos–fragments that carry weight, yes, but cannot stand alone in a court of law,” the Ombudsman added. “The path to the truth is here. It has always been here.”