Rep. Tiangco alleges P13.8B budget insertions by Rep. Co

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco alleged that then-House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co proposed P13.8 billion in insertions to the 2025 national budget, primarily for flood control projects.

Tiangco presented evidence during a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing, disputing claims he made insertions and turning the tables on his colleagues.

He stated that he could not have made insertions as he was not a member of the bicameral conference committee.

Co vehemently denied the accusations, calling them baseless, irresponsible, and politically motivated.

Co mentioned that the 2025 General Appropriations Act was approved by both houses of Congress and signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., who also has the authority to veto budget items.

Tiangco also raised suspicions about how projects ended up in the budget, noting that some lawmakers denied ownership of these allocations and that such projects were often disguised through practices like "parking" and "sagasa."