“We may begin to sound like a broken record. What he is saying is a bunch of hearsay. Sabi nito, sabi ni ano (He’s just saying ‘this person said this, that person said that’),” he said.

According to Gomez, Co did not present any new information or documentation in his second video.

“Hindi nag-rewrite ng script sa second video kahit na kanal na yung una (He didn’t even rewrite his script in the second video even after the first one was already exposed as garbage),” he added.

Gomez reiterated the Palace’s standing challenge for Co to return to the Philippines and formally attest to his allegations before proper authorities.

“We continue to issue the same challenge: Come home, sign these under oath, and face the music,” he said.

He earlier stressed that truth-telling requires sworn testimony, not edited videos recorded overseas.

Co’s accusations have been widely questioned following consistent Palace denials and the absence of any document showing that President Marcos ordered irregular insertions in the national budget.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has already rejected suggestions that the President was involved in alleged budget “insertions,” noting that all executive proposals are already included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said Friday that Co is attempting to “avoid accountability” as investigators close in.

“Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang umiwas at iiwas ang sarili at mag-name drop kahit walang katibayan (Because Zaldy Co’s world is shrinking, he now has to evade and drag others into this without proof),” she said, noting that Co’s narrative “raises more questions than answers” about his role in the anomalies.

Civic leader Jose Antonio Goitia said Co’s allegations remain unsubstantiated despite the release of project lists and online statements, noting that nothing in the materials directly links President Marcos to the supposed P100-billion insertion.

He stressed that the documents merely enumerate items typically found in the national budget and contain no directive or communication from Malacañang.

Goitia also questioned Co’s decision to speak from overseas instead of appearing before official inquiries or issuing a sworn statement in the Philippines.

“If the intention is to tell the truth, the strongest place to do that is under oath,” he said, noting that statements made abroad without cross-examination leave “more questions than answers.”

“Truth does not hide behind edited videos or selective releases,” he added.

Goitia also pointed to the President’s veto of nearly P194 billion in the 2025 national budget as evidence inconsistent with claims of irregular insertions. He said the public record shows a leader removing questionable items, not adding to them, undermining the central premise of Co’s allegations.

He likewise noted that the timing of Co’s statements coincided with rallies planned by various blocs seeking to pressure the administration to promptly address the corruption issue.