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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Pinsan mo si Zaldy Co?': Kabataan solon says VP Sara's question is 'nonsense'

'Pinsan mo si Zaldy Co?': Kabataan solon says VP Sara's question is 'nonsense'

Published Sep 16, 2025 05:10 pm

At A Glance

  • Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co chided Vice President Sara Duterte for asking her if she was related to Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co during the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co (leftmost), Vice President Sara Duterte (center, in white) (Rep. Co)
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co (leftmost), Vice President Sara Duterte (center, in white) (Rep. Co)


Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co chided Vice President Sara Duterte for asking her if she was related to Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co during the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
"Eh, ikaw, kaano-ano mo si Mary Grace Piattos? (And you, how are you related to Mary Grace Piattos?)" Kabataan Rep. Co said in her statement-retort to the Vice President on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16.
She also described the Vice President's question as "nonsense".
"Three years na, hindi mo pa rin maipaliwanag kung saan napunta ang P125 million na confidential funds? Galawang pusit. Puro intriga. Um-attend nga ng hearing, troll behavior naman,” the congresswoman said.
(It's been three years, and you still haven't explained where the P125 million confidential funds went? Squid tactics. All intrigues. You attended the hearing but you showed troll behavior.)
"Mary Grace Piattos" is one of many alleged fictitious recipients of confidential funds under OVP.
Kabataan Rep. Co was one of only two House members who interpellated Duterte during the budget hearing held by the Committee on Appropriations that same morning.
But before Makabayan solon could do so, Duterte asked permission from the panel to throw a question at the former.
"May I be allowed to ask a question?" Duterte told presiding officer, Palawan 2nd district Rep. Jose "Pepito" Alvarez.
"Depends on the nature, madam Vice President," Alvarez responded. As part of the rules, resources persons (in this case, Duterte) aren't allowed to ask questions to the solons.
"Mag-pinsan po ba si Congressman Co ngayon tsaka si Zaldy Co? (Are the current Congressman [Renee] Co and Zaldy Co cousins?)" Duterte said, referring to the former Committee on Appropriations chairman.
Kabataan Rep. Co replied: "I can answer...I have no familial relation po to Representative Zaldy Co or any of their relatives po."
"Thank you madam chair," Duterte aaid.
The Kabataan congresswoman also wasn't happy with the abbreviated nature of the OVP budget hearing.
“She is the second highest official of the land. Nakakahinayang na di man lang nakapagtanong ang mga kapwa-mambabatas para hingan siya ng paliwanag sa napakaraming issue. Tinerminate pa agad ang hearing. Natatakot ba tayo magtanong?” she asked in her statement.
(It’s regrettable that fellow lawmakers didn’t even ask her to explain the many issues. The hearing was immediately terminated. Are we afraid to ask questions?)
Ako Bicol Rep. Co in receiving medical treatment in the United States.
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