“Kadiliman vs. Kasamaan”?
Such were the comments of Filipinos after former Ako-Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co went public on Friday, November 14 and implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the flood control corruption scandal.
The former congressman, whose whereabouts have been a mystery ever since his name was implicated in allegations of kickback schemes involving billions of pesos, sent a video to reporters in which he described himself as a scapegoat.
Co claimed the administration was “exhausting all resources” to use him as a scapegoat in its anti-corruption campaign and if he started to talk, he would most likely be silenced.
The former lawmaker has been out of the country since July 19 supposedly for a medical check-up.
He said he had plans to return after Marcos’ State of the Nation Address on July 28, but was immediately called up by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez not to return just yet.
Co said he was given assurance he would be “taken care of” by the president, but claimed that it later on appeared to mean being a “fall guy” in the flood control corruption scheme.
He claimed that he received a call from Budget Secretary Ameenah Pangandaman, when the bicameral conference process began, who informed him that the president had ordered the insertion of P100 billion into projects.
Co called Romualdez to relay the directive, with the latter reportedly saying, “What the president wants, gets.”
Co then shared more information about the 2025 budget, stating that it was impossible for Marcos to be unaware of where the funds allocated for infrastructure are going, as the budget secretary seeks the president’s approval for such projects.
ALSO READ: Zaldy Co admits P100-B budget insertion, claims Marcos and Romualdez gave orders
Reactions
Co’s video expectedly earned reactions from Filipinos who, shared comments about the former lawmaker’s involvement in the kickback scheme amounting to billions of pesos.
“His statement suspiciously coincides with the Duterte-faction rally,” an online user commented, referencing the rally of the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo “for transparency and a better democracy.”
“If he really wanted to speak out, he should’ve done that from the start. It looks like he waited for the best bargain for his political survival,” the user added.
“Kung umalma, akala mo hindi kasabwat, hahaha,” another user commented in response to Co’s video message.
While Co is technically admitting to facilitating budget insertions during the bicameral conference for the 2025 budget, he also faces allegations of receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects, in addition to his connections with major contractors.
These projects have been under investigation by the Senate and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, with many reportedly involving substandard materials or existing only on paper.
“Only a m*ron would believe this, and unfortunately, half of the population of the Philippines is just that. I truly believe na walang inosente dyan, bilang mo sa daliri ang politicians na talagang walang bahid ng corruption at pagnanakaw at kasakiman,” said a different user to Co’s video.
“Kairita ‘yung sfx [sound effects] ‘pag nag-ta-transition. Parang school project ang atake. Pero hello, kadiliman vs. kasamaan,” wrote another Pinoy.
“Hahaha, so lumipat na siya ng side. Kasamaan vs. Kadiliman indeed, hahaha,” said a different user.
“It coincides with the Imee announcement na lalabas siya sa senate hearing and the upcoming INC rally. The grand scheme of Team Kadiliman. Ano kaya ang response ng Team Kasamaan?” wrote another Pinoy.
The “Kasamaan versus Kadiliman” comment has its roots involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a Duterte ally, who previously said that the country’s political situation is no longer a “fight” between the Dutertes and the Marcoses.
Duterte refers to Vice President Sara Duterte, while Marcos refers to the incumbent president, who had a falling out that some say began in 2023, when the Romualdez-led House of Representatives previously stripped Duterte’s office of its confidential funds.
“Hindi na po ito laban ng mga Duterte at Marcos! Ang laban po ngayon ay pwersa ng kadiliman laban sa pwersa ng…?” Roque had exclaimed to a group of people before.
“Kasamaan!” the group had chorused.
“Kabutihan!” Roque answered back, correcting them.
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The phrase “Kasamaan versus Kadiliman” has since been used by critics to refer to the two major political factions in the country whose heads are estranged from each other.
Last May, Marcos said he was open to a reconciliation with the Duterte family, but her camp has remained silent on the matter.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Dominique Flores
