The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has cautioned against the ‘political exploitation’ of the allegations made online by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, saying the public deserves verified information rather than conjecture.
In a statement released late Friday, the bishops said the seriousness of Co’s claims requires formal filing before the proper authorities, not declarations on social media.
‘For the good of the nation, such claims must be examined transparently, impartially, and in accordance with the rule of law. We likewise caution against the political exploitation of these allegations, especially when released at sensitive moments that may inflame public sentiment or be used to influence political outcomes,’ the CBCP said.
Co, who used to chair the House Committee on Appropriations, alleged that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Rep. Martin Romualdez ordered the inclusion of about ?100 billion worth of questionable projects in the proposed 2025 national budget.
He said the directive was relayed by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman during last year’s bicameral budget talks.
Co also released the list of projects where the P100 billion were allegedly inserted.
CBCP urged him to return to the country and bring any evidence before institutions mandated to investigate.
‘The Filipino people deserve clarity, not conjecture; truth, not rumor; accountability, not manipulation. We appeal to all parties involved to act with honesty, courage, and responsibility,’ the bishops said.
CBCP stressed that institutions tasked with upholding justice should be given space to conduct a transparent and impartial review.
They said proper handling of the controversy is essential in protecting public trust amid an already charged political climate.
‘May every step taken in this matter serve the cause of justice and strengthen-rather than erode-our people’s trust in the institutions tasked with safeguarding our democracy,’ they added.
Malacañang and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have since denied Co’s accusations, calling them ‘baseless’ and urging him to make his claims under oath.
Reason over emotion
Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged Filipinos to stay grounded in the rule of law amid rising political tension.
He warned against emotion-driven reactions and appeals that fall outside constitutional processes.
‘We must always adhere to the rule of law and resist any calls for extra-constitutional means to solve our problems. Our loyalty must be to our country and its democratic principles, not to persons, and certainly not to other self-serving motivations,’ he said in a statement.
Advincula also called for critical discernment, saying the spread of a ‘pandemic of lies’ makes it harder to recognize truth.
‘It is our Christian duty to verify the information we consume and to refrain from sharing what has not been authenticated. Let truth be our standard,’ he added.
The Cardinal appealed to the military, police, and public servants to remain faithful to their oath to the Constitution.
Advincula likewise asked Filipinos to reflect, pursue personal and institutional renewal, and uphold integrity and accountability.
‘Let us pray for our beloved Philippines, for integrity to prevail, truth to be revealed, and justice to be served,’ he said.