Davao Rep. Duterte wants probe into alleged P100 billion budget insertion

Davao Representative Paolo Duterte urged the House of Representatives to investigate allegations of a P100 billion insertion into the 2025 national budget, based on claims by former Representative Elizaldy Co.

Duterte filed House Resolution 488, calling for a probe into Co's accusations that President Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez were involved in the budget insertion.

Co claimed that Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, under the President's orders, directed him to insert P100 billion into the budget, and that Romualdez supposedly approved it.

The resolution seeks to invite Co, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, and other relevant individuals for questioning.

Duterte emphasized that the alleged cash deliveries to Romualdez's residence and Malacañang, along with the detailed list of projects, contractors, and amounts provided by Co, warrant a deeper investigation.

He stated that these allegations, due to their scale and detail, cannot be ignored and suggest interference from the Office of the President, contradicting principles of transparency and separation of powers.