In a political earthquake that could shake the foundations of the Marcos administration, former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy Co has broken months of silence with a chilling video statement—only for Malacañang to fire back within hours, not just denying his claims, but questioning whether the video itself is even real.
The two-part drama has left the nation asking: Is this a desperate confession… or a digital deception?
"Huwag ka nang bumalik—utus ni Presidente 'yan."
— Zaldy Co’s Explosive Allegation
In a tearful, tightly composed video sent directly to media outlets on Friday, Co—once a trusted ally turned political pariah—accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of orchestrating his exile.
“I was told: ‘Do not return to the Philippines. Stay quiet. You’ll be taken care of.’ I believed them,” Co said in Filipino.
“But what they meant by ‘we’ll take care of you’… was that I would become the poster face of their lies.”
According to Co:
- He left the country on July 19, 2025 for a scheduled medical check-up, planning to return after the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
- Just days before his scheduled flight back, Romualdez called him and relayed what Co claims was a direct order from the President: stay abroad and remain silent.
- He complied—only to later discover he was being named in Senate hearings as a key figure in the 2025 national budget and flood control kickback scandal.
- His company, Sunwest Corporation, had become one of the top 15 contractors for flood control projects—drawing scrutiny from investigators and the public alike.
“Now, I will no longer be silent,” Co declared. “I have receipts. I have names. I have evidence.”
His video immediately went viral—sparking outrage, skepticism, and demands for accountability.
Malacañang Strikes Back: “It’s Baseless… And Possibly AI”
Within hours, Malacañang held an emergency press briefing—but their response began not with denial, but with doubt.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro delivered the first blow:
“Given today’s technology, we must first verify if this video is authentic—or if it’s been generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.”
Castro did not accuse Co outright of using AI, but emphasized that in an era of deepfakes, “we cannot treat every digital message as gospel.”
Once the authenticity question was raised, the rest of Malacañang’s rebuttal followed:
- The Office of the President categorically denied that Marcos Jr. ever instructed Co to remain overseas.
- Co’s claims were labeled “self-serving” and “designed to deflect” from serious allegations against him.
- Officials stressed that all infrastructure contracts—including those involving Sunwest—are under active review by the Ombudsman and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
- Notably, Malacañang refused to confirm or deny whether Romualdez actually spoke to Co—calling it an “internal matter of the House.”
So… What’s Real?
The timing couldn’t be more suspicious.
Co’s return to the spotlight comes just as Senate hearings intensify, with contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, plus former DPWH officials Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, directly linking him to kickback schemes involving public funds.
Yet his emotional delivery, specific dates, and references to private conversations lend his statement a disturbing plausibility.
On the other hand, AI-generated videos have already been used in Philippine politics—most notably in local election disinformation campaigns. Could this be another case?
Balitang Huli’s Take:
Whether the video is AI or not, the substance demands investigation. If Co is lying, he risks perjury and further legal peril. If he’s telling the truth, then the President and Speaker may have committed grave abuse of power.
Either way—this is not the end. It’s just the beginning.
What Happens Next?
Co has vowed to submit documents, bank records, and call logs to the Senate. The Blue Ribbon Committee has signaled it may summon Romualdez and even Malacañang officials for clarificatory hearings.
Meanwhile, digital forensics experts are already analyzing Co’s video for signs of manipulation. The truth may lie in the pixels.
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Do you believe Zaldy Co? Or is this a digital smokescreen?
Drop your take in the comments below.
#ZaldyCo #MalacañangResponse #ClaireCastro #AIorReal #BalitangHuli #PhilippinePolitics #BudgetScandal #SunwestCorporation #DeepfakeWatch #MarcosJr #SenateHearing
