Veteran broadcast journalist Susan Enriquez issued strong statements online following former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co’s new round of allegations regarding the controversial flood control projects and alleged budget insertions involving top government officials.
In posts on her official Facebook page, Enriquez criticized Co’s claim that he did not personally receive any kickbacks from the projects, and that all alleged funds were supposedly turned over to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Co had said in his second video statement: “Wala pong perang napunta sa akin. Lahat po ng insertion napunta sa ating Pangulo at Speaker Martin Romualdez.”
He alleged that President Marcos inserted ₱100 billion into the 2025 budget and claimed that 25%—or ₱25 billion—was pocketed by the Chief Executive.
Enriquez responded: “Kawawa naman pala siya. Wala daw napuntang pera sa kanya????”
She added in another post, “Ewan ko sa iyo, Zaldy Co. Baka gusto mo patayuan ka namin ng bantayog.”
In a subsequent statement, the “Unang Hirit” host directly called Co and other involved officials “thieves,” writing: “Walang hero sa inyo. Pare-pareho kayong magnanakaw. Wala kayong pakialam sa taong bayan na napeperwisyo ng pagkaganid niyo.”
In the third installment of his video series posted on November 16, Co appealed to the Senate to investigate the alleged ₱100-billion insertion attributed to the President.
He also claimed that both his reputation and life were under threat, narrating alleged encounters with Romualdez: “March 2025 pa lang, si Speaker ay nagpaparinig na… that he will shoot me if I will talk.”
Co added that Romualdez supposedly warned him not to return to the Philippines because it would be “dangerous.”
Co apologized to the public, saying he merely followed orders and insisting again that none of the money stayed with him: “Taos-puso akong humihingi ng paumanhin… ’Yung pera, wala pong napunta sa akin. Dumaan lang po ang pera sa akin para i-deliver kay Speaker Martin Romualdez at kay Pangulong Marcos.”
Malacañang has strongly denied all accusations. Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed Co’s statements as fabricated, calling his video releases a “comedy series.”
Castro questioned Co’s timeline, noting that he could not have delivered funds between January and May 2025 because he was removed as Appropriations Committee chair in January.
“Doon pa lang sa timeline… hindi nagtutugma-tugma,” she said.
In a separate radio interview, Castro suggested that Co was being used by groups allegedly seeking to “bring down the President.” She added that President Marcos remains “unbothered” by the accusations.
