Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co took a swipe at the Dutertes on Thursday, Jan. 2 even as he insisted on the benevolence of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“AKAP is a clear example of how government funds should be used—efficiently and without corruption,” Co said in a statement. AKAP is a program of Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD).

“Do we want confidential funds like those in Davao City, DepEd (Department of Education) or Office of the Vice President (OVP) under VP Sara Duterte which were riddled with 100 percent corruption, or programs like AKAP with zero corruption?" Co asked.

"AKAP directly addresses inflation and uplifts the lives of our countrymen, especially the near-poor," he explained.

According to the DSWD, AKAP provided P5,000 in cash assistance to nearly five million near-poor Filipinos in 2024. It achieved a 99.31percent utilization rate of its P26.7 billion budget.

He said AKAP had been widely praised for its transparency and impact. It has helped families cope with the challenges of inflation and economic hardship.

“If we can achieve this now, why wasn’t it done before? Where did the money go? Napunta ba ito sa confidential funds o sa 27,000 na extrajudicial killings? (Did it go to confidential funds or tapped for the EJK of 27,000 people?)” Co asked, obviously referring to the previous administration of Rodrigo Duterte who led a bloody war on drugs.

In the same statement, Co sought accountability for the misuse of public resources and human rights abuses of the past.  

“The Filipino people deserve justice for those who were wronged. Huwag nating ilihis ang usapan (Let's not divert the discussions)."

The ranking congressman stressed the importance of programs like AKAP in demonstrating how good governance can make a real difference in people’s lives. 

“Criticism without action is noise. While others talk, AKAP delivers. Ganito ang nangyayari kapag inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng tao kaysa politika (This is what happens when you prioritize the people's welfare over politics),” he added.  

As DSWD intends to provide AKAP to another five million Filipinos this 2025, Co reaffirmed his commitment to push for transparency and accountability in all government initiatives.  

“This is the kind of leadership Filipinos deserve—honest, efficient, and free from corruption. Let’s learn from the past and build a better future for every Filipino,” he concluded.