President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has issued a direct challenge to former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, urging him to return to the Philippines and confront corruption allegations involving controversial flood control projects.
The Presidential Challenge
During a statement on Monday, November 24, 2025, President Marcos emphasized that online claims and repeated statements mean nothing without facing the legal process directly. The president specifically called on Co to come home and address the cases filed against him regarding alleged anomalies in flood control infrastructure projects.
"Anyone can go online and make all kinds of claims and say all kinds of things repeatedly, but it means nothing," President Marcos stated. "For it to mean something, he should come home here, he should face his cases. If he has something to say, he should say it; people will know about it, he should prove it. But come home."
Demanding Accountability and Transparency
The president further questioned why Co remains abroad instead of confronting the allegations directly in the Philippines. Marcos positioned himself as readily available to face any accusations, contrasting his accessibility with Co's current situation.
"Why are you hiding far away? I am not hiding. If you have accusations against me, I am here. He should do the same to make it fair," the president added, highlighting the importance of facing legal processes directly rather than making claims from overseas.
Background of the Allegations
The confrontation stems from previous accusations made by Co, who had pointed to President Marcos as the mastermind behind P100 billion worth of project insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). These allegations involve substantial funding allocations for flood control initiatives that have come under scrutiny for potential irregularities.
The exchange represents an escalation in the ongoing political tension between the administration and critics, with the president directly addressing corruption allegations while demanding that accusers participate in proper legal proceedings within the country.
