The camp of former AKO Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co allegedly attempted to blackmail President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, PBBM himself disclosed this in his latest report on the state of flood control cases.

Eight congressmen will also be recommended to face charges in connection with the flood control anomalies.

“Meron po akong ibabanggit sa inyo. 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,”

["I have something to mention to you. We were approached by Zaldy Co's lawyer attempting to blackmail us, saying that if we don't cancel his passport, he will no longer release videos,"] PBBM said.

Don't cancel the passport of former AKO Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co in exchange for not releasing videos.

This was the blackmail attempt by Co's camp against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In PBBM's new report on the flood control project anomalies, he emphasized that he will not negotiate with the former legislator.

“I do not negotiate with criminals. Kahit maglabas ka na ng video ng lahat ng kasinungalingan mo na pag-destabilize sa gobyerno. “

["I do not negotiate with criminals. Even if you release videos full of your lies to destabilize the government,"] the President said.

President Marcos also had a message for the former House Appropriations Committee Chairman.

“Gusto kong malaman mo Zaldy makakansela pa rin ang passport mo. Hindi ka na makakatakas sa hustisya,”

["I want you to know, Zaldy, your passport can still be cancelled. You can no longer escape justice,"] he stated.

However, Co's lawyer, Atty. Ruy Rondain denied the blackmail allegations against their camp.

He added that he has not spoken with anyone in the government to negotiate on the issue of Co's passport.

He also said he has no control over the release of videos by the resigned congressman.

The Palace has not yet responded to Co's camp's statement as of this writing.

Meanwhile, President Marcos reported that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will recommend filing multiple charges against eight congressmen.

“Mag magsusumite po ng ebidensya sa Ombudsman and magrekomenda sila ng kaso ng plunder, anti-graft, bribery conflict of interest sa walong congressman na may-ari ng mga construction company na may proyekto sa DPWH,”

["They will submit evidence to the Ombudsman and recommend cases of plunder, anti-graft, bribery, and conflict of interest against eight congressmen who own construction companies with projects at DPWH,"] the President said.

The president added that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has obtained two freeze orders.

The total frozen assets from personalities implicated in the flood control project anomalies have reached 12 billion pesos.

“This brings the total amount of assets frozen to about Php12 billion pesos. Kasama po dito ang mga air asset ni Zaldy Co ang value mga 4 billion. At bukod pa roon mayroon po tayong nakuhang 3,566 na bank account, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 na e-wallet account at saka air asset na na-frozen na,”

["This brings the total amount of assets frozen to about PHP 12 billion. This includes Zaldy Co's air assets valued at 4 billion. And aside from that, we have frozen 3,566 bank accounts, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, and air assets,"] Marcos said.

President Marcos once again assured the return of public funds taken from the anomalies.

“Umpisa lang po ito. Mas marami pong asset ay mafo-frozen para maibalik ang pera ng tao sa kanila. Ito po ay ang aming pangako that the money of the people will be given back to the people,”

["This is just the beginning. More assets will be frozen to return the people's money to them. This is our promise that the money of the people will be given back to the people,"]  the chief executive said.

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- with the reports of Nel Maribojoc

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