Metro Manila, Philippines — Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Friday, November 14, denied embattled former Rep. Zaldy Co’s claims that President Bongbong Marcos ordered a ₱100-billion insertion in the bicameral version of the 2025 budget.  “Lahat ng mga sinasabi ni Zaldy Co ay imbento lamang, walang basehan, walang ebidensya,” Castro said in a briefing, challenging Co to fly back to the country to face allegations against him.  [Translation: All the claims of Zaldy Co are just hearsay, without basis, without evidence.] Castro said Co may have made the claims due to lack of other options as he continues to remain in hiding.  “Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang umiwas at iiwas ang sarili at mag-namedrop kahit walang katibayan at laway lang ang puhunan,” she said. [Translation: Since Zaldy Co’s world is shrinking, he has to protect himself. He drops names even without evidence and his proof…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate Committee on Finance chair Sherwin Gatchalian has urged resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co to return to the Philippines and personally face the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, instead of releasing videos and making allegations from abroad. Gatchalian made the remark after Co resurfaced online months after going into hiding and accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of ordering the insertion of ₱100 billion worth of flood control projects into the proposed 2025 national budget, allegedly in coordination with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. “What’s for me is basic. If you have nothing to hide, you have to be here physically in the hearing and face the questions and accusations against you. Hindi yung nagtatago tapos gagawa ka ng video at kung ano-ano ang sinasabi mo. I think the physical is the most important thing na mag-vi-vindicate sa’yo,” Gatchalian said…

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday, November 14, has issued a stoppage order for the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu project following widespread flooding in the area during Typhoon Tino. In the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing on the anomalous flood control projects, DENR Region 7 Executive Director Laudemir Salac said 700 trees were cut without permission for the Monterrazas project and 10 environmental compliance conditions were violated. Salac also said two out of 17 planned retention ponds have already collapsed. “Stop po ngayon ang operation ng Monterrazas de Cebu,” he said. “Meron na pong notice of violation and stoppage order. I can assure you na as of Wednesday, hindi na po sila nag-o-operate.” [Translation: Operations of the Monterrazas de Cebu have stopped. There is already a notice of violation and stoppage order. I can assure you that as of Wednesday, they are not operating.] According…

Metro Manila, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo revealed details on the alleged kickback scheme in flood control projects on Friday, November 14, implicating more senators in the mess.  In his second supplemental affidavit during the Senate Blue Ribbon probe, Bernardo recounted his past dealings with former senators and admitted to helping distribute their alleged cuts. Bernardo detailed the system he had with incumbent Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former senators Sonny Angara, Mark Villar, Grace Poe, and several other officials. The former DPWH executive earlier tagged Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co in his first sworn statement in September. Grace Poe In his narrations, Bernardo claimed that the transactions with Poe were made through a supposed representative and a contractor who allegedly collected the money at a hotel in Manila.…

Manila, Philippines – Embattled former Rep. Zaldy Co has surfaced for the first time since he was tagged in the flood control scandal and budget insertions on Friday, Nov. 14. In a taped video statement, Co alleged that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered a P100-billion budget insertion in the bicameral version of the 2025 national budget. The president’s directive was coursed through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Co said. “Nagsimula nung tumawag si Sec. Minah Pangandaman sa akin noong nag-umpisa. May instruction na mag-insert ng P100 billion worth of insertions sa bicam sabi ni Sec. Minah,” he said. “Right after tinawagan ko (si) Romualdez at nireport ang instruction ng president to insert the hundred billion projects. Sabi niya, what the president wants, (he) gets,” Co added. The former congressman, visibly thinner and pale than his last public appearance, claimed he was ordered by the president’s cousin former House Speaker Martin Romualdez…