President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 national budget, former Ako-Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co revealed in a video message posted in his Facebook account on Friday.

Co, former head of the House appropriations panel, broke his silence more than a month after he resigned from the House of Representatives amid allegations of corruption thrown against him related to the anomalous flood control project of the government.

In his video where he was reading his message from a paper, Co accused the president, his cousin former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and some cabinet members of organizing the alleged "insertions" in the 2025 national budget.

Co left the country on July 19 and is believed to be in the US. He claims that an official told him to stay where he is.

His allegations came as Metro Manila braces for a series of rallies over the flood control scandal starting Nov. 16.

The former congressman's claims came a day after Marcos said those charged in the flood control scandal will be jailed before Christmas.

"It started when (Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary) Mina (Amenah) Pangandaman called me when the (Bicameral Conference Committee) Bicam process started last year, 2024. She said she had just finished a meeting with the President and had instructions to insert 100 billion worth of projects into Bicam," said Co.

"Sec. Mina told me 'you can confirm with Usec Adrian Bersamin' because they were together during the meeting with (President Ferdinand "Bongbong Marcos Jr.) PBBM during that day. I immediately called Usec. Adrian Bersamin and asked him if the President had instructions to deposit 100 billion during their meeting and he answered that it was true," he added.

Co noted that after a few days, Pangandaman and Bersamin set a meeting with him together with Romualdez and (Department of Justice) Usec. (Jose) Jojo Cadiz (Jr.).

"During the meeting Usec Bersamin handed the list worth P100 billion, I asked Use Adrian where the list comes from? and he said its from PBBM and he gave it from the brown leather bag," he said.

Co claimed that he was instructed by Romuladez to "stay out of the country" and he will be "well taken care of as instructed by the president".

"I used to believe them, which is why I did not return. I kept my mouth shut and I obeyed. But what I didn’t know was that what they meant by ‘we will take care of you’ was that I would be used as a scapegoat in their anti-corruption campaign," he said.

"They made me the poster boy of their own lies. Now, I will no longer stay silent; I will reveal the whole truth. There are receipts, evidence, and names,” he added.

Aside from the video, Co also posted in his social media account the list of P100 billion worth of projects allegedly ordered by the Marcos to insert in the 2025 national budget.

Co is expected to post more videos regarding his revelation as his video message noted in the end to wait for a "part 2". Robina Asido/DMS