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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos tells Zaldy Co after blackmail attempt: Release all videos you want

Marcos tells Zaldy Co after blackmail attempt: Release all videos you want

Published Nov 26, 2025 01:02 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and resigned congressman Zaldy Co (Facebook screenshots)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and resigned congressman Zaldy Co (Facebook screenshots)
President Marcos accused the lawyer of former House appropriations chair Zaldy Co of attempting to blackmail him amid the widening investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
In a video report uploaded to his social media accounts on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the President said the lawyer approached his team and warned that Co would release a video unless the government stopped the cancellation of his passport.
“Nilapitan po kami ng abogado ni Zaldy Co at nagtatangkang mag-blackmail na kung hindi po namin kakanselahin daw ang passport niya, hindi na raw siya maglalabas ng video (They attempted to blackmail us, saying that if we do not cancel his passport, he will refrain from releasing a video),” Marcos said.
“I do not negotiate with criminals,” he added.
The President said Co can do whatever he wants.
“Kahit maglabas ka na ng video ng lahat ng kasinungalingan mo na pag-destabilize sa gobyerno, gusto kong malaman mo Zaldy, makakansela pa rin ang passport mo (Even if you release all your lies meant to destabilize the government, I want to tell you, Zaldy, that your passport will still be cancelled),” he said.
“Hindi ka na makakatakas sa hustisya (You will not escape justice),” he added.
Co’s legal counsel, lawyer Ruy Rondain, denied the President’s allegation.
“Completely untrue. I have not spoken with anyone from the government to negotiate the stoppage of the videos for the passport,” he said.
“As I have always maintained, I have no control over the release of the videos,” he added.

P12 billion in assets frozen

Marcos likewise reported significant progress in the financial probe, announcing that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) secured two additional freeze orders covering billions in alleged illicit assets.
“This brings the total amount of assets frozen to about P12 billion,” he said.
Among the assets, he said, were Co’s air assets valued at around P4 billion, along with thousands of financial instruments and properties. These included 3,566 bank accounts, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real estate properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, and various air assets.
“Umpisa lang po ito. Mas marami pong asset ay mafo-frozen para maibalik ang pera ng tao sa kanila (This is only the beginning. More assets will be frozen to return the people’s money to them),” the President said.
“The money of the people will be given back to the people,” he added, echoing his earlier commitment.
Marcos also reported that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will submit evidence to the Ombudsman recommending the filing of plunder, anti-graft, bribery, and conflict-of-interest charges against eight congressmen identified as owners of construction companies with projects in the DPWH.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Zaldy Co
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