Progressive groups demanded accountability from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after former ally and ex-appropriations chair Elizaldy Co admitted in a video that ₱100 billion in budget insertions were made under Marcos Jr.’s instruction.
Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Jerome Adonis said that Co’s video clearly proved that Marcos Jr. is the country’s “commander-in-thief.”
Adonis said Marcos Jr. is no better than the president’s now-rival Vice President Sara Duterte in terms of thievery.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) meanwhile said the testimony confirms Marcos Jr. as “mainly responsible for corruption-infested national budgets.” BAYAN’s Raymond Palatino stressed: “President Marcos Jr. drafts the National Expenditure Program, signs the General Appropriations Act, and implements all corruption-laden projects. Unless he admits incompetence, he must be investigated.”
Co claimed he acted on orders from Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, relaying instructions through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and other officials. Romualdez allegedly told him: “What the President wants, gets.”
Lawmakers echoed the call for accountability. ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Marcos Jr. approved thousands of flood control projects tied to corruption. Kabataan Rep. Renee Co added: “Basag ang pagpapanggap ni Marcos Jr. na wala siyang kaalam-alam. Hindi siya tagapagligtas; siya ang hari ng korapsyon.”
Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate condemned the scheme as proof of dynastic plunder.
Progressives reiterated demands for a full, independent investigation, saying the scandal exposes a system where state resources are treated as instruments of personal enrichment. (ZIA LUNA)
