Major political parties Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Nacionalista Party (NP) are prodding Zaldy Co to stop hiding and return home following his release of several video messages wherein he claimed that President Marcos received massive kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

The parties made this appeal in separate statements Monday, Nov. 17 as the former Ako Bicol Party-list congressman's whereabouts abroad remained unknown.

"Mr. Co must come home. It is important to emphasize a basic legal principle: jurisdiction cannot be exercised over someone who refuses to appear," House Deputy Speaker South Cotabato 2nd district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez said, speaking on behalf of the ruling party, PFP.

"No video recorded abroad can substitute for sworn testimony, cross-examination, and accountability before the proper bodies," said Hernandez.

"In contrast, all members of the House who were asked to clarify matters have voluntarily appeared before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). They availed themselves of due process and the rule of law, while Mr. Co has not," he said of the former Ako Bicol Party-list congressman.

"If Mr. Co believes in the validity of his accusations, the proper venue is here in the Philippines—before the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) and before our investigative bodies—not in a video taken overseas," Hernandez underscored.

"Here he will have every opportunity to air his side, present evidence, and answer questions under oath. If there are legitimate concerns for his safety, the government has the means to ensure his protection while he testifies," he added.

Co is pivotal figure in the ICI probe on the flood control projects corruption scandal. He has ignored all of the ICI's summons.

From Friday to Sunday, Co--former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations--uploaded one heavily spliced video message everyday on his verified Facebook account. On Monday, he uploaded the full, stitched together version of the three videos.

Co claimed that President Marcos sought P100 billion worth of project insertions in the 2025 national budget, particularly during the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings. From this massive insertion, the Chief Executive allegedly received 25 percent or P25 billion in kickbacks.

"The [NP[ urges former Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines, face the proper forums, and place his claims under oath. Public institutions cannot act on allegations aired from abroad without accountability or verification," the NP said.

"Our position is consistent and simple: If Mr. Co truly believes in what he is saying, then he must submit himself to the same standards of scrutiny that every public servant is expected to uphold," it said.

The NP said the House of Representatives has already shown full cooperation with the ongoing inquiries on the flood control and infrastructure-related projects.

"The responsible course of action now rests with Mr. Co. Until he comes home and testifies before the appropriate bodies, his statements cannot and should not distract from the reforms and good-governance efforts being pursued by Congress," it said.