House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III says resigned Ako Bicol Party-list congressman Zaldy Co must prove his convictions in his video exposés by coming back home to the Philippines and submitting himself to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
This, as Dy dismissed any supposed value that Co's recent Facebook video uploads may have regarding the controversy on anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.
"Hindi sapat ang video mula sa ibang bansa. Kapag mabigat ang paratang, dapat mas mabigat din ang paninindigan. Kailangan niyang humarap, manumpa, at magharap ng ebidensiya sa mga awtoridad tulad ng ICI," Dy said in a statement Tuesday, Nov. 18.
(A video from abroad is not enough. When the accusation is serious, the conviction must be even stronger. He must appear, take an oath, and present evidence before authorities such as the ICI.)
"At kung kinakailangan siyang bigyan ng proteksiyon, makikipag-ugnayan po tayo sa mga kaukulang ahensiya upang matiyak ang kanyang kaligtasan habang siya ay nagbibigay ng testimonya," added the Isabela 6th district representative.
(And if he needs to be given protection, we will coordinate with the proper agencies to ensure his safety while he gives his testimony.)
Co, a former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, has been abroad even before the start of the current 20th Congress. He is believed to be a key personality in the twin issues of budget insertions and anomalous flood mitigation projects.
In a series of video messages over the weekend, Co claimed that President Marcos sought P100 billion worth of project insertions in the 2025 national budget, particularly during the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings. From this massive insertion, the Chief Executive allegedly received 25 percent or P25 billion in kickbacks.
The ex-solon also claimed that his life was in danger, and that the entire Marcos administration wanted to "silence" him.
Since taking the reins as Speaker last Sept. 17, Dy has shown his full backing of the ICI's mandate.
"Lahat ng kongresistang may kailangang ipaliwanag ay kusang-loob na humarap at nakipagtulungan sa ICI (All of the congressmen who needed to explain before the ICI have voluntarily appeared and cooperated with it). They are all willing to cooperate and work with the ICI to explain their side. Hindi po ito ginawa ni dating Rep. Co (Former Rep. Co hasn't done this.)
"Ito ang malinaw na pagkakaiba: habang ang iba ay harapang nagbigay-linaw, si dating Rep. Co ay umiwas. Sa halip na makatulong sa paglilinaw, mas lalo niyang dinaragdagan ang pagkalito ng publiko," he said.
(This is the clear difference: while others gave clarification face-to-face, former Rep. Co evaded. Instead of helping to clarify, he further adds to the public’s confusion.)
"Sa ating mga kababayan: nauunawaan ko ang pangamba at pagod na dulot ng magulong impormasyon. Naiintindihan namin kayo. Ang hinihingi lamang ninyo ay katotohanan—at iyon din ang hinihingi namin," Dy said.
(To our fellow citizens: I understand the fear and fatigue brought by confusing information. We understand you. What you ask for is truth—and that is what we also ask for.)
"Kaya ito po ang aking panawagan kay dating Rep. Co: Umuwi po kayo at harapin ninyo ang taumbayan (Therefore, this is my call to former Rep. Co: Please return and face the people)," the Speaker said.