Metro Manila, Philippines – A House deputy minority leader criticized what he called the “knee-jerk” effort by administration allies to dismiss former Rep. Zaldy Co’s corruption allegations implicating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the claims warrant a formal investigation.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, in an interview on ‘The Newsmaker’, said Co’s statements on the alleged PHP100-billion budget insertions in the current budget must not be brushed aside.
“These are serious allegations,” Tinio said. “Ibig sabihin, dapat aralin, dapat imbestigahan, hindi ’yung agyat na isinasantabi o dinidismiss.”
[Translation: This means they should be studied, they should be investigated, not immediately set aside or dismissed.]
Tinio expressed disappointment that many political figures were quick to reject Co’s claims.
“Medyo nadidismaya tayo na marami ang kagyat na… in-dismiss ka agad sa halip na seryosohin,” he said.
[Translation: We’re somewhat dismayed that many immediately dismissed it instead of taking it seriously]
Co, in a series of videos released on Facebook, alleged that Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered ₱100 billion in insertions and received portions of the funds. He claimed suitcases of money were delivered to Malacañang.
Tinio said the Office of the Ombudsman should take the lead. “Kung susundin natin ang Konstitusyon, eh ’di Ombudsman,” he said.
[Translation: If we follow the Constitution, then it should be the Ombudsman.]
He noted, however, that Co himself doubted the Ombudsman’s independence. Co had alleged that Ombudsman Boying Remulla was too close to Romualdez and suggested the Senate conduct the probe instead.
Administration officials have argued that Co’s videos carry no weight because they were not made under oath. Tinio countered that this was an overly technical approach.
“Yes, tama naman… at some point, kailangan sumpa niya ang kanyang testimonya,” he said.
[Translation: Yes, it’s correct that at some point he must swear to his testimony.]
“Pero hindi porke hindi siya affidavit ngayon ay hindi ibig sabihin hindi totoo ’to,” the lawmaker said.
[Translation: But just because it isn’t an affidavit now doesn’t mean it’s untrue.]
He acknowledged inconsistencies in Co’s timeline and statements but said these should be clarified through investigation rather than dismissed outright.
Tinio said Co’s statements support longtime claims that the executive branch, not only lawmakers, plays a role in budget insertions.
