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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Details from Zaldy Co's videos can be used as 'leads' in investigation – Asst. Ombudsman Clavano

Details from Zaldy Co's videos can be used as 'leads' in investigation – Asst. Ombudsman Clavano

Published Nov 26, 2025 01:37 pm
Assistant Ombudsman Miko Clavano on Wednesday, Nov. 26, said the information from the videos released by resigned congressman and now fugitive from justice Zaldy Co can be used as “leads” in the investigations.
But Clavano pointed out that Co’s statements in the video bear no weight unless the former legislator returns to the Philippines and swears on it.
In the DZBB program "One on One: Walang Personalan" Clavano was asked if the confession made by Co in his videos would be rendered as useless unless it was sworn in.
"Hindi naman po siya bali-wala. Pwede po yun maging lead ng ating imbestigasyon, (It is not for nothing. It can be used as a lead in our investigations)," he said.
However, Clavano explained that Co's statements alone could not be used as evidence in court.
"Yung weight ng kanyang sinasabi hindi pa natin masyado matimbangan dahil hindi pa nasumpaan. Pag dating po sa korte, at yun lang po prinesente natin, hindi mabibigyan ng [weight], (We can't really give weight to what he's saying because he hasn't been sworn in yet. When it comes to court, and that's all we have before us, it won't be given any [weight])," he said.
At the same time, Clavano said during the interview that the Office of the Ombudsman is working "triple time" to make sure that all those who are involved in the flood control scam are put behind bars -- hopefully before Christmas.
It is important to have an "air-tight" case, and that the evidence to be presented in court will be strong enough to hold the accused responsible for the crimes charged, he also said.
In videos, Co accused President Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating the P100-billion budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.
Co even claimed in one video that he personally delivered P1 billion in cash to the residence of the President last December in Forbes Park in Makati City "based on the direct orders of Speaker Martin Romualdez."
In his video released last Nov. 25, Co pointed his finger at presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos as he claimed that the latter should be blamed for the P50.9 billion insertions from 2023 to 2025.
Both the Marcoses and Romualdez have denied Co's allegations in the videos.
Co, who is abroad, and several other accused have been ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan in the P289.5 million “anomalous” flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The Sandiganbayan has set the arraignment of the accused for Nov. 27 and Dec. 2 on graft and the non-bailable malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
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