Facebook posts claim that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla had asked resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to give him $1 billion if he wants to be a “star” witness in the flood control corruption investigations. This is false.
Published on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, the clickbait posts bear the caption and thumbnail text:
“‘GIVE ME 1 BILLION DOLLARS‘ DILG SEC. JONVIC REMULLA NAGLAPAG NG MGA KONDISYON KAY ZALDY CO KUNG GUSTONG SIYA MAKING (sic) STAR WITNESS
(Give me $1 billion, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla laid down conditions for Zaldy Co if he wants to become a star witness).”
Remulla merely suggested that Co must “return” $1 billion to the government before the government should consider negotiating with him. The amount is supposedly just a fraction of the kickbacks he allegedly got from anomalous flood control projects.
“Return $1 billion, saka tayo mag-usap. Then you’ll have an availability of a plea bargain,” Remulla said in an interview aired on TV Patrol on Jan. 27.
The former lawmaker has reportedly sent “feelers” to serve as a witness in the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which the House of Representatives had already dismissed.
The Department of Justice does not have a “star witness” in the witness protection, security and benefit program. The program recognizes only state witnesses and grants them security protection and immunity from criminal prosecution.
The posts spread after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla asked Co’s camp to return billions-worth of “stolen funds” to prove his intention of negotiating with the government.
The false posts by FB pages Pinoy Celebrity News (created June 21, 2017) and JL Sharing (March 19, 2023) have so far garnered 103 reactions; 550 comments; and 27 shares.
