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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NUP asks ICI to look into Zaldy Co's claims

NUP asks ICI to look into Zaldy Co's claims

Published Nov 17, 2025 05:22 pm

At A Glance

  • The National Unity Party (NUP)--the second largest political party in the House of Reprentatives--is urging the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to step up its investigation, "especially into the following allegations made by Mr. Zaldy Co".
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)


The National Unity Party (NUP)--the second largest political party in the House of Reprentatives--is urging the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to step up its investigation, "especially into the following allegations made by Mr. Zaldy Co".
"We call for the ICI to act with urgency on these allegations," Reginald Velasco, NUP secretary general, said in statement on Monday afternoon, Nov. 17.
"Ultimately, we owe it to the nation to confront these issues with sobriety, courage, and resolve. Our allegiance should not be to any political side, but rather to the truth, and the pursuit of truth must transcend political lines if it is ever to bring us closer to justice and accountability," Velasco said.
From Friday to Sunday, Co--former administration ally and Ako Bicol Party-list congressman--released one video per day wherein he implicated President Marcos and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez to alleged corruption.
Velasco asked the ICI to look into the following allegations:
1. That former Speaker Martin Romualdez told Mr. Co to stay outside the country when he left the Philippines on July 19, 2025, allegedly at the instructions of President Marcos;
2. That Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, instructed Mr. Co at the start of the bicameral conference committee deliberations for the 2025 budget to insert at least ₱100 billion worth of projects into the bicameral version;
3. That a meeting was later held at the Aguado Building near Malacañang, with former Speaker Romualdez, Secretary Pangandaman, Mr. Co, and Undersecretaries Jojo Cadiz and Adrian Bersamin, where he was handed a list of projects worth ₱100 billion; and
4. That former Speaker Romualdez allegedly threatened to “shoot” Congressman Co during a March 2025 meeting in connection with the floodcontrol project controversy.
"We urge the full cooperation of the high-ranking officials mentioned above," the NUP official said.
"We further call for Mr. Co to appear before these investigations and testify under oath to these accusations he publicly raised. If his assertions are grounded in fact, then there can be no fear in bringing the full truth to light," noted Velasco.
"This is the firm and united stance of the [NUP]. Our members are in full solidarity behind this call for truth, transparency, for the protection of the integrity of our democratic institutions," he further said.
The NUP is next only to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in terms of congressman-members.
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