Roundtable Forum for Inclusive Development (RFID), a joint voice of various sectors, called for “accountability through stronger democracy” in a statement released on November 16 following former congressman Elizaldy Co’s allegations against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding an alleged ₱100-billion budget insertion.

Posted by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David, the statement included signatories from representatives of the Church, academe, business, and civil society. They urged Co to return to the Philippines and formalize his allegations through a judicial affidavit.

“An Independent People’s Commission will ensure that his and all other involved parties’ statements will be met with a fair and thorough investigation, and that all found liable are then held to account,” the statement read.

The group also pushed for the enactment of “long-overdue” reforms such as the ban on political dynasties, a budget transparency act, and a review of the “flawed” party-list system, saying these measures would “excise the long-standing structural challenges posed by patronage politics.”

“Again, we enjoin the President to reaffirm his commitment to transparency and accountability by certifying these pieces of legislation as urgent,” it added.

Co alleges flood control corruption, P100-B budget insertion by Marcos Jr., Romualdez

On November 14, Co linked Marcos to recent flood control issues, claiming that the President ordered him to insert ₱100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget — a quarter of which supposedly went to the President.

Co alleged that Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who he said had “direct knowledge” of the scheme, received all kickbacks from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget insertions.

In a video statement posted on social media on November 14, Co said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin confirmed the President’s directive to insert ₱100 billion for flood control and other infrastructure projects in late 2024.

“What the President wants, he gets,” Romualdez allegedly replied to Co after receiving the instructions.

Co added that Bersamin later handed him a list “from PBBM himself,” detailing the projects that would account for the anomalous P100 billion.

Despite concerns that the DPWH budget would surpass that of the Department of Education (DepEd) — which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution — Co said Marcos insisted that the full amount be added.

According to Co, Pangandaman asked for Marcos’ approval to make budget adjustments for certain agencies before their finalization under Co and Sen. Chiz Escudero.

“The following day, sinabi ni Sec. Mina, approved na si Presidente BBM sa lahat ng binawasan na ahensiya. Masaya na ang Pangulo dahil naipasok ang gusto niyang hundred billion [pesos] insertion,” Co said.

After the national budget was approved in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Co further claimed that the DPWH instructed him to transfer 25% of the ₱100 billion to the Office of the President (OP).

On November 15, Co released several pictures of suitcases, each believed to contain P1 billion, which he and his staff allegedly delivered to Marcos and Romualdez.

However, Co did not clarify why some kickbacks were allegedly delivered in early 2024 — before the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was submitted to Congress and before the supposed insertions took place.

Prior to Co’s video statements, Marcos held a press briefing on November 13, where he said case referrals made by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman implicated 37 individuals in the flood control scandal, including DPWH officials, contractors, and lawmakers — among them Co.

When asked why Romualdez was not included in the referral despite allegations, Marcos said that evidence from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was “not yet” sufficient to build a case against him.

“So, everyone who colluded in this corruption scandal, these shameless people who steal the people’s money, your days of enjoying yourselves are over. We will go after you,” Marcos said.

In response to Co’s allegations, Marcos said that he does not “want to even dignify what he is saying.”

Romualdez, meanwhile, maintained that his “conscience remains clear,” saying no witness has proven corruption on his part throughout the flood control inquiry.

Officials have urged Co to return to the Philippines and testify under oath, but the former congressman said in his video statement that he remained silent due to a “direct order” and warnings that he would be killed if he returned.

The ICI continues to investigate Co’s claims against Marcos and other officials.