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CO: I DID NOT GET A SINGLE CENTAVO; DE LIMA: UNBELIEVABLE By Maricel V. Cruz, Joel Zurbano and Pot Chavez
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RESIGNED Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co denied having received a single centavo from the alleged P100 billion insertions in the 2025 budget – a claim VOL. XXXIX • NO. 271 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES NOVEMBER 16, 2025
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that a former Justice secretary and House leader said was “unbelievable.” “No money went to me. All the insertions went to the President and to Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Co said in his second video released yesterday where he showed photos of suitcases which he claimed contained cash. House deputy minority leader and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, for her part, said Co’s claim of not benefitting from the budget insertions and the flood control mess was impossible and illogical. “It is simply unbelievable,” De Lima said. “At any rate, we reiterate our call for former Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the country, face the allegations against him, and present the whole truth before the appropriate forum… Because
PBBM, ex-Speaker refuse to dignify Co’s allegations Palace hits Co for peddling lies, propaganda on budget issue
no matter how many parts his videos reach, his statements and presented evidence cannot be used in court if he does not swear in the proper forum,” she added. Co earlier asked Blue Ribbon chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson to review first the alleged insertions in the 2025 budget. “I respectfully urge Senator Lacson to first review the full list of alleged insertions made under the directive of President Marcos and clearly reflected in the 2025 GAA,” Co said. “You may cross-check the 2025 NEP to verify if the same line items appear there…I suggest that before making statements that may unfairly prejudice the issue, the Senator should examine the documents in full,” he Turn on A4 added.
FALL GUY NARRATIVE AGAINST ROMUALDEZ NOW OVER—BARBERS NEWS/ A3
RODY CAMP SEEKS UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE FROM ICC NEWS/ A3
By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz and Pot Chavez
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Saturday shrugged off claims of former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co on the alleged P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 national budget. “I don’t want to even dignify what he is saying,” Mr. Marcos said in a media interview in La Castellana, Negros Occidental when asked to react to Co’s accusation that he ordered the insertion. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro described Co’s claims against the President as “lies, propaganda.” “ Zaldy Co’s sin against the country is expanding,” Castro said in a video statement. Castro said Co’s claims about delivering P100 billion in insertions were inconsistent with the actual budget process, pointing out that the President had vetoed line items totaling P194 billion. “Why would DBM Secretary Mina (Amenah Pangandaman) order P100 billion in insertions if the President had already vetoed projects of greater value?” the Palace official added.
INSPECTION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives at Moises Padilla, one of the municipalities hardest hit by Typhoon ‘Tino’ in Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2025. The President met with affected residents as he visited the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School, the town proper community, and the evacuation center at the Moises Padilla Elementary School. PIA Negros Occidental (Story on A2)
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PNP on highest alert amid 3-day prayer rallies CBCP warns vs. manipulation, says due process must prevail By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine National Police has placed its forces on the highest alert status to secure the three-day simultaneous prayer rallies led by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Metro Manila beginning today. Armed Forces chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, for his part, urged the military to shun political noise. “Let’s not focus on the political noise and keep our focus on our jobs,” Brawner said during the leadership change at the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City yesterday. “With full conviction, I assure the public that the armed forces will not engage in any action that violates the Constitution. Not today, not tomorrow, and certainly not under my Turn on A4
By Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Saturday cautioned against the political misuse and manipulation of the allegations made by resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. In a statement signed by CBCP president Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, the group said that public accusations must be supported by sworn testimony and verifiable evidence presented before the proper authorities. “In light of the serious allegations recently made public by Rep. Zaldy Co, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil-
ippines calls for truth, justice, and due process to prevail…If his accusations are indeed credible and substantial, we urge him to return to the country and file his charges before the proper Turn on A4
Rosal Rosal
Humanitarian and actress Rosa Rosal, 97 By Angelica Villanueva PREPARATION. Banners for today’s Iglesia Ni Cristo rally are displayed at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (Photo below) Workers, along with members of the Philippine National Police, install portable tents, toilets as well as Civil Disturbance Management shelves and fire trucks at the side of the People’s Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City ahead of today’s protest movement. Manny Palmero
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SEASONED actress and Philippine Red Cross governor Rosa Rosal passed away yesterday at 97. “With deepest sadness, the Philippine Red Cross announces the passing of Governor Rosa Rosal,” the PRC said in a statement posted
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on its Facebook page. “Gov. Rosal leaves behind a legacy of genuine service, dignity, and love for humanity, a legacy that will continue to guide the Philippine Red Cross and inspire generations of volunteers.” Born in Manila on October 16,
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