Zaldy Co gave Martin Romualdez a shirt as gift, not ‘maleta’ – witness

MANILA, Philippines — A prosecution witness told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday that he saw former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co give a shirt as a “gift” to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, not “maleta” (suitcase) with cash.

Police Maj. Hermelo Dichoso, team leader of Co’s security team, testified during the bail hearing of Romualdez, who faces a plunder case stemming from alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects worth P7.44 billion.

READ: Witness: Zaldy Co’s alleged kickbacks have acknowledgment receipts

Co, the former House appropriations committee chairperson during Romualdez’s speakership, was a co-accused in the case.

Dichoso said he saw Romualdez and Co together when Co handed a shirt to Romualdez during a meeting with several other House members at a townhouse at the Manila Polo Club.

“You mentioned in your answer … that Zaldy Co gave clothes as a gift to [former] Speaker Romualdez?” Romualdez’s lawyer Ronald Solis asked Dichoso, who responded in the affirmative.

Solis was referring to Dichoso’s answer in his written judicial affidavit submitted to the court.

“This is not a maleta but clothes?” Solis pressed, to which Dichoso responded, “Yes.”

Dichoso also said no cash deliveries took place during meetings attended by members of Congress.

Dichoso led Co’s security team from January 2024 to May 2025. /mcm