Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco testified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sharply reprimanded then House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co during a Nov. 24, 2024 meeting over funds allegedly taken from the national budget.
Tiangco said he personally witnessed Marcos express frustration over the alleged diversion of funds intended for major government projects.
“During that meeting, I personally witnessed the President reprimand Romualdez saying, ‘Wala pa akong napapagawang malaking proyekto. Kasi kayo ni Zaldy kinukuha niyo ang pera sa mga malaking proyekto. Kayo ni Zaldy ang sumisira sa gobyernong ito, papabagsakin ninyo ang gobyerno ko,’” Tiangco said.
Asked by prosecutors to recount other remarks made by Marcos during the meeting, Tiangco said the President also confronted Romualdez about his alleged wealth and lifestyle.
“I remember him saying to Romualdez, ‘How many houses in Forbes Park do you want? How many airplanes do you need? How many Ferraris do you want? How much caviar can you eat?’” Tiangco stated in his affidavit.
The testimony forms part of proceedings in which prosecutors sought to establish details of internal discussions within the administration concerning budget allocations and the conduct of senior political figures. # (ZIA LUNA)
