THE Department of Public Works and Highways in Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10) affirmed that all projects questioned by former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co have been fully implemented and accomplished.
This statement came after Co uploaded lists of projects on his social media today, Nov. 14, alleging they were part of a P100 billion project insertion made during the bicameral deliberation of the 2025 budget.
Novie Cabrido, DPWH-10 spokesperson, explained that an “insertion” typically occurs when a proposed project is not included in the regular infrastructure project budget from the Central Office.
“Mao during sa budget hearing sa House of Representatives mag request sila pwede ba ma-insert,” Cabrido said, referring to how legislators request the inclusion of projects.
In Co’s uploaded list, he identified over 10 projects from Region 10 that he claims were part of the P100 billion budget insertion.
Co’s social media posts allege that the P100 billion insertion was made during the 2024 bicameral conference committee deliberation, allegedly ordered by former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The projects Co released on social media are located in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
Examples include:Cagayan de Oro: Construction of a road leading to the Guadalupe Shrine in Barangay Balubal and a road leading to the CDO heritage tree in Barangay Cugman; Misamis Oriental: Construction of a road project leading to the Tugasnon Hot Spring in Alubijid; Bukidnon: Construction of a road leading to Sagumata Falls in Barangay Lourdes, Valencia.
In his uploaded video, Co expressed concern for his personal safety, stating, “Sana po ay hindi nila ako mapatay bago ko mailbas ang lahat ginawa ko lang ang utos sa akin pero ngayon handa ko nang harapin ang lahat.”
Co further alleged that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was using national resources to silence him.
He stated that he was ordered not to return to the Philippines, but emphasized that he now intends to divulge the truth because he has “evidence and receipts.”
Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, addressed the issue on a local radio program (iFM-RMN-dxCC), saying, “I have no insertion of Zaldy Co in my district, these are Department of Tourism projects in my district.”
As of press time, Co’s social media revelation has garnered more than 3 million views and 113,000 shares.
