Zaldy Co claims he delivered ₱2 billion monthly kickbacks to Marcos and Romualdez

Former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has alleged that he was ordered to deliver ₱2 billion in monthly kickbacks for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Co denied the earlier claim of former DPWH Engineer Henry Alcantara that he received ₱21 billion.

“The truth is, from 2022 to 2025, the total amount of money that passed through me for President Bongbong Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez reached ₱56 billion. This is separate from the President’s ₱100 billion insertion in the 2025 budget, as well as the ₱97 billion flood control insertion placed in the NEP of the 2026 national budget,” Co said.

Co claimed that after he was elected chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, Romualdez instructed him to deliver ₱2 billion every month.

“A few days later, Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo called me. He said Bulacan needed help regarding their flooding problem. He then sent DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara to my office in Congress,” Co recalled.

“During our meeting, Alcantara himself laid out the proposed division of kickbacks for DPWH projects 22% for Speaker Romualdez, 2% for Usec. Bernardo, and 1% for himself,” he added.

According to Co, the delivery of kickbacks was handled by his staff, Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay, who allegedly received the cash from Alcantara’s team either at his residence in Valle Verde, Pasig City, or at a parking area in BGC, Taguig.

They allegedly coordinated with Romualdez’s staff member, Josephine Serenio, before transporting the money to Romualdez’s residences at North Forbes Park on McKinley Drive and at No. 14 Narra Street, South Forbes Park.

Co claimed that from 2022 until early 2025, he delivered more than ₱55 billion.

He also disclosed that he personally delivered ₱1 billion for President Marcos Jr. in 2024. He said he met with Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz in November 2024, during discussions on the proposed 2025 national budget.

“The instruction from former Speaker Martin Romualdez was to bring the money to No. 30 Tamarind Street, South Forbes Park, and hand it to Usec. Jojo Cadiz because this was supposedly the drop-off point closest to the President’s residence,” Co said.

Co further claimed he received information that he would be labeled a terrorist to silence him regarding the alleged kickbacks involving Marcos and Romualdez.

President Marcos has since challenged Co to return to the Philippines, face the charges against him, and substantiate his allegations.

“He keeps repeating these claims, but they mean nothing. If he wants them to matter, he should come home. Face his cases. If he has something to say, say it, and the public will hear it. Prove it,” the President said.