Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said a lawyer from ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co’s camp attempted “blackmail” to prevent the cancellation of his client’s passport.

“Nag-tangkang mag-blackmail na kung hindi po namin kakanselahin daw ang passport niya, hindi na siya maglalabas ng video, said the president in a video posted online.

[Translation: The lawyer attempted blackmail, saying that if we don’t cancel Co’s passport then he will stop releasing the videos.]

In response, Marcos said he “does not negotiate with criminals.”

“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. Hindi ka na makakatakas sa hustisya,” the president warned.

[Translation: Even if you release a video of all your lies destabilizing the government. I want you to know, Zaldy, your passport can still be canceled. You can no longer escape justice.]

Co’s lawyer, Ruy Rondain, denied the president’s remarks and said he has not approached anyone about the cancellation of any passport.

“Completely untrue. I have not spoken with anyone from the government to negotiate the stoppage of the videos for the passport. As I have always maintained, I have no control over the release of the videos,” he said in a statement to reporters.

In his most recent video, Co said House Majority Leader and presidential son Sandro Marcos inserted over ₱50 billion in projects in the 2023-2025 budgets.

A former House appropriations committee chairman, he said Rep. Marcos got mad at him during the 2025 budget process as his budget insertions were short of ₱8 billion.

In earlier videos, Co implicated other officials including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and resigned Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Marcos has challenged Co to return to the country to face flood control mess charges.