Marcos Jr. rejects alleged blackmail attempt over Zaldy Co's passport

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. claimed a lawyer for former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co attempted to blackmail the government by demanding the cancellation of Co's passport in exchange for video statements.

Marcos stated he would not negotiate with criminals and asserted that Co's passport would be canceled regardless of any video statements.

Co's lawyer, Ruy Rondain, vehemently denied the blackmail attempt, calling the President's claims a "ridiculous proposition" and noting that passport cancellation is a prerogative of the Sandiganbayan, not the Palace.

Rondain also stated that he is not the lawyer who approached Malacañang and that he does not control the content or timing of Co's video releases.

Co, who has been abroad since July, is facing an arrest warrant from the Sandiganbayan for alleged involvement in flood control corruption.

Co will oppose the cancellation of his passport once they receive the documents, and they have five days from receipt of the motion to appeal it.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured freeze orders totaling approximately P12 billion in assets related to the controversy.