Marcos claims Zaldy Co's camp tried to 'blackmail' him amid corruption issue
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has accused the legal team of former congressman Zaldy Co of attempting to "blackmail" him amid investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
The chief executive made the allegation in a video statement on his official Facebook page.
"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," he said.
Marcos continued, "I do 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."
Co's legal counsel, Atty. Ruy Rondain, denied the alleged blackmail.
"Completely untrue. I have not spoken with anyone from the government to negotiate the stoppage of the videos for the passport," he said.
Rondain added that he has no control over the release of Co's videos.
Marcos also reported that the Anti–Money Laundering Council has now frozen about P12 billion assets of more government officials linked to the flood control mess, including Co's air assets worth around P4 billion.
"At bukod pa roon, meron po tayong nakuhang 3,566 na bank accounts, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 na e-wallet account at saka air assets na na-frozen na," he added.
Marcos stressed that this is only the beginning of the government’s efforts to recover ill-gotten wealth and hold those responsible accountable.
The chief executive further detailed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Public Works and Highways are set to recommend cases of plunder, anti-graft, bribery, and conflict of interest against eight Congressmen who own construction companies with DPWH projects.
Makabayan bloc requests investigations against Marcos
Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc formally asked the ICI to launch an investigation into Marcos' role in the flood control issue based on the claims made by Co.
"We are requesting and urging to investigate thoroughly 'yung mga pinakahuling allegation and statement ni former representative Zaldy Co and former DPWH undersecretary Robert Bernardo. Particular 'yung kanilang mga allegation na ang presidente na mismo, si Bongbong Marcos Jr., ang nag-utos na maglagay ng insertions and tumanggap ng kickback," ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio told reporters on Nov. 26.
He was joined by Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co and Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus.
For weeks now, Co has been publishing video statements implicating Marcos, his cousin former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, and his son House majority leader Sandro Marcos in the flood control mess. However, Malacañang has since denied the allegations, arguing that Co was simply making up stories to evade responsibility.