Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co has released a nine-minute video accusing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, of receiving tens of billions of pesos in alleged kickbacks from 2022 to 2025.

In the video, published on Monday, November 24, Co claimed that ₱56 billion passed through him en route to Marcos and Romualdez over a three-year period, in addition to what he described as ₱100 billion in budget insertions allegedly pushed by the two.

Co, who read from a prepared statement, said, “Dumaan lang po sa akin ang pera na agad dine-deliver kay Speaker Romualdez.” He denied accusations from dismissed district engineer Henry Alcantara that he had personally taken ₱21 billion, insisting he was not part of any delivery operations.

Alleged Delivery Network

Co alleged that the operations began in 2022, when—he claimed—Romualdez instructed him to remit ₱2 billion monthly. This coincided with the period he served on the House Committee on Appropriations.

According to Co, the arrangement was facilitated by then-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, through Alcantara, who allegedly provided a kickback breakdown: 22% for Romualdez, 2% for Bernardo, and 1% for Alcantara.

Co claimed deliveries were carried out by his staff, Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay, coordinating with Romualdez aide Jocelyn Serreño. Transactions allegedly took place in parking lots in Valle Verde and Bonifacio Global City, before being transferred to residences in North and South Forbes Park.

His former security aide, Orly Guteza, corroborated parts of the alleged money trail, including the Valle Verde–BGC route, though he noted that some luggage containing cash was temporarily stored at Co’s BGC home.

Co said more than ₱55 billion was delivered to Romualdez’s residence in South Forbes Park by 2025, though monthly targets were not always met. He claimed Romualdez told him the money was divided between the former Speaker and the President.

Claims of Presidential Remittances

Co also alleged that in late 2024, he was instructed to deliver ₱1 billion directly to the President. He said the deliveries were coordinated through Justice Undersecretary Jose Cadiz Jr., who allegedly informed him that Marcos was “angry” over delayed remittances.

According to Co, Romualdez ordered him to bring the cash to 30 Tamarind Street, a property he said was purchased on Marcos’ orders to serve as a “warehouse” for collections. He said he personally delivered ₱200 million on December 2 and ₱800 million on December 5, 2024.

Marcos Dismisses Claims

President Marcos rejected Co’s accusations shortly after the video’s release, questioning the lawmaker’s credibility and urging him to return to the Philippines.

“Look at the quality of the statements… Anyone can go online and make all kinds of claims… but it means nothing. For it to mean something, umuwi siya rito. Harapin niya yung mga kaso niya,” Marcos said at a press conference.

“Come home. Come home. Ba’t ka nagtatago sa malayo? Ako hindi ako nagtatago. Kung meron kang accusation sa akin, nandito ako,” he added.

Interpol Issues “Blue Notice” vs Co – DILG

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Monday that Interpol has issued a Blue Notice for Co, who is wanted over a ₱289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. He is among 16 individuals charged with graft, malversation, and falsification.

Authorities have not confirmed Co’s location. “We believe he is traveling with another passport. We don’t know if he is using another name. So vine-verify pa namin. The blue notice is out,” Remulla said at a press conference.

“The [Interpol] blue notice is out. Now that we have…the arrest warrant, the red notice can be out and we will further determine kung nasaan talaga siya,” he added.

📷 Rep. Zaldy Co FB