A political firestorm is engulfing the Philippines as a former lawmaker has leveled explosive accusations against a son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Elizaldy Co, once a powerful figure in the House of Representatives, alleges that Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III orchestrated the insertion of approximately 50 billion pesos into national budgets over the last three years.
Co claims these substantial funds were directed towards questionable construction projects, revealed through photos of budget documents detailing flood control, drainage, canal, and road initiatives nationwide. He asserts that these “insertions” weren’t isolated incidents, but a recurring pattern of influence peddling during crucial budget finalization stages.
The allegations come as Co has been releasing a series of videos implicating high-ranking Marcos administration officials in a massive kickback scheme tied to flood control contracts. This isn’t a lone voice crying out; the accusations are rapidly widening the circle of influential figures caught in the controversy.
Congressman Marcos vehemently denies the claims, dismissing Co as a discredited figure attempting to destabilize the government. He suggests Co may have struck a deal with groups seeking to sow chaos through misinformation, but offered no specifics.
The accusations have prompted immediate action from opposition lawmakers, who have filed a resolution demanding a full investigation into whether President Marcos himself ordered the inclusion of anomalous projects in the upcoming 2025 national budget. They emphasize Co’s former position as head of the Appropriations Committee lends significant weight to his testimony.
Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has resumed proceedings, hearing denials from two other congressmen implicated in the scandal. Quezon City Representative Juan Carlos Atayde and Caloocan City Representative Dean Asistio both asserted their innocence and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
Atayde, facing accusations of receiving kickbacks through his father, stated he is prepared to fight for his innocence and will not flee the country. Asistio echoed this sentiment, claiming the accusations are baseless and expressing concern over the premature release of sensitive information.
The core of the scandal revolves around a financial ledger submitted to a Senate inquiry by contractors Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya. This ledger allegedly details a network of payoffs made to government officials in exchange for securing lucrative flood control contracts.
Both Atayde and Asistio requested closed-door executive sessions with the ICI, citing the sensitive nature of the information they intend to share. The ICI has granted these requests, emphasizing its commitment to transparency, due process, and the protection of individual rights.
The ICI has requested additional documentation from both congressmen, setting deadlines for submission. As the investigation intensifies, the nation awaits further revelations that could reshape the political landscape and expose the full extent of the alleged corruption.
