Malacaňang probably did not see it coming, but the blows inflicted by ex-Cong. Rizaldy Co on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not only significantly weakened the latter’s administration but can, in fact, hasten its collapse.

Co is the closest anyone can get to a smoking gun. By his own admission, the former House appropriations committee chairman personally delivered billions of pesos packed in suitcases right to the doorsteps of BBM and his erstwhile patron, former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Davao City Congressman Isidro “Sid” Ungab is calling on former Committee on Appropriations chairpersons, Representatives Zaldy Co and Stella Quimbo, to explain why critical foreign-assisted flood control projects were diverted from the 2024 and 2025 national budgets.

Ungab made the revelations during the budget hearing of the Department of Public Works and Highways on September 5, where he presented evidence showing the significant budget cuts and eventual removal of major Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)-funded flood control projects.