Co: Alleged kickbacks understated

A FORMER congressman said on Sunday that a government engineer linked to a multibillion-peso flood control scandal had understated to authorities the amount of public works funds allegedly misused.

Kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects claimed by an official link to the controversy reached P56 billion, more than double the P21 billion earlier reported, former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co said.

“That amount all went to President Bongbong Marcos and [former House Speaker] Martin Romualdez,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Mr. Co, who previously headed the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, last week released a series of videos in which he accused Mr. Marcos and Mr. Romualdez of having direct links to the flood control scandal that has gripped the Philippines.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro dismissed Mr. Co’s videos as a “comedy series,” urging him to present evidence rather than rely on allegations.

“He does not have evidence to show, and he just keeps on reading from a script,” she told reporters in a Viber message in Filipino.

The Office of Mr. Romualdez did not immediately reply to Viber message seeking comment.

“I will release the full details in the coming days,” Mr. Co said. “I hope they don’t kill me before I can reveal everything.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio