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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Imee: Zaldy Co to join blue ribbon probe online; claims lawmakers will clear Romualdez's name

Imee: Zaldy Co to join blue ribbon probe online; claims lawmakers will clear Romualdez's name

Published Nov 13, 2025 01:12 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday, Nov. 13, said former lawmaker Zaldy Co will attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing online, while the invited congressmen will be there to defend former House Speaker Martin Romualdez amid allegations linking him to the anomalous flood control project scandal.
Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday, Nov. 13, said former lawmaker Zaldy Co will attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing online, while the invited congressmen will be there to defend former House Speaker Martin Romualdez amid allegations linking him to the anomalous flood control project scandal.
Former Ako-Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez (MB file photo)
Former Ako-Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez (MB file photo)
Marcos said this in a chance interview ahead of the scheduled hearing of the panel on Friday, Nov. 14.
"Ang latest chika ang magaganap bukas dyan sa blue ribbon ay yung mga congressman pupunta dun may script na daw sila at yun nga liliwanagin na walang kinalaman si Martin Romualdez, si bonjing (The latest scoop about what’s happening at the Blue Ribbon tomorrow is that the congressmen who’ll attend supposedly already have a script — and they’ll be clarifying that Martin Romualdez, or “Bonjing,” had nothing to do with it)," she said.
"At ang ating VIP hindi na star witness kasi hindi na aappear ang dating speaker kundi ang darating daw eh si Zaldy Co on Zoom (And our supposed VIP is no longer the star witness, because the former Speaker won’t be appearing anymore — instead, it’s said that Zaldy Co will be attending via Zoom)," she added.
Aside from this, Marcos said that Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco is confirmed to attend and she said that he’s expected to make further revelations.
Marcos said what she heard is that Co will really appear, yet his situation is quite uncertain. She emphasized that if Romualdez was previously expected to appear before the blue ribbon panel, but later changed his mind.
"So let’s see if Zaldy does the same — but since you asked who the VIP is, as far as I know, that’s him," she said in Filipino.
"Pero hindi ako sigurado ha, ito lang ang latest chika na naconvince siya na umappear ng zoom pero may duda pa rin ako kung talagang matutuloy (But I’m not entirely sure — the latest buzz is that he’s been convinced to appear via Zoom, though I still have doubts about whether it will really push through)," she explained.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier said a "very important witness" will be invited to the hearing.
In an interview the previous day, Marcos stated that witnesses in the hearing are expected to withdraw their statements after their families were threatened.
Asked if she was referring to Orly Guteza, Marcos replied, "Alam ninyo kung sino ang pinakamatindi ang testimonya (You know who has the strongest testimony)."
She did not specify who the other witnesses are.
Guteza's surprise testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September implicated former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in alleged cash deliveries.

Related Tags

Zaldy Co Martin Romualdez imee marcos ping lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Committee flood control probe
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