Abbey Macalanda

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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In a presidential communications office press briefing on November 26, 2025, Malacañang has cast doubt on the recorded videos released by former AKO Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, particularly his allegations linking the Marcos administration to anomalies in flood control projects.

The Palace has issued a fresh challenge to the former legislator, noting inconsistencies in his statements.

“So, dapat matapos muna lahat ang kaniyang mga sinasalaysay dahil sa tuwing mapupuna natin ang kaniyang inconsistencies eh sumasabay po ang kaniyang pagbabago ng kuwento sa pagbabago ng hairstyle sa video.”

"All his narratives should be finished first because every time we point out his inconsistencies, his story changes along with his hairstyle in the videos," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Malacañang said it has observed contradictions in Co's statements from his recorded videos posted on social media, especially regarding the alleged involvement of the administration in flood control project irregularities.

According to Castro, the Palace is not alone in noticing these discrepancies in the former lawmaker's statements, with other experts also picking up on the contradictions.

“Sabi nga natin, tuwing makikita natin ang mga inconsistencies, hindi lang po tayo, pati iyong mga ibang mga lawyers, ibang mga eksperto na bumabasa at nadidinig ang kaniyang mga sinasabi at napupuna ang inconsistencies, ginagamot nila sa mga susunod na mga videos,”

"As we've said, every time we see inconsistencies—and it's not just us, but other lawyers and experts who read and hear what he's saying, they notice the inconsistencies, which he addresses in subsequent videos," Castro said.

Castro cited specific examples from Co's recorded video messages.

“Unang-una, ni hindi niya binanggit sa video one, two ang sinasabing transaksiyon ng 2022. Maliwanag na ang binanggit niya na nagsimula raw ang kaniyang pakikipag-usap diumano kay Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ay 2024. So, noong napuna ang mga inconsistencies, nabago ang kuwento. “

"First of all, he didn't even mention in videos one and two the supposed 2022 transaction. He clearly stated that his conversations allegedly with Secretary Amenah Pangandaman began in 2024. So when the inconsistencies were pointed out, the story changed," she explained.

The Palace has again challenged Co to return to the Philippines and make his revelations here.

“At mas maganda, ayon sa Pangulo, umuwi siya rito at dito niya ikuwento lahat iyong nais niyang ikuwento. Dahil kapag nakukuwento ka lang sa likod ng monitor, ang hirap tingnan at i-assess ang credibility ng taong nagtatago lang,”

"And it would be better, according to the President, if he comes home and tells everything he wants to tell here. Because when you're just talking behind a monitor, it's difficult to see and assess the credibility of someone who's just hiding," Castro said. - from the reports of Nel Maribojoc

Mexico's Fatima Bosch has been declared the new Miss Universe after winning the 74th edition of the pageant held in Thailand.

The Mexican beauty queen received her crown from Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who made history as her country's first Miss Universe winner.

Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines secured the third runner-up spot, marking the nation's highest placement since Bea Luigi Gomez made it to the Top 5 in Miss Universe 2021.

Bosch bested 119 other contestants to claim the crown, with the Top 5 finalists including:

Winner: Fatima Bosch of Mexico

First runner-up: Praveenar Singh of Thailand

Second runner-up: Stephany Abasali of Venezuela

Third runner-up: Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines

Fourth runner-up: Olivia Yace of Cote d'Ivoire

Thailand hosted the 74th Miss Universe competition for the second time, previously welcoming the pageant in 2018 when the Philippines' Catriona Gray took home the title. 

The Miss Universe pageant will head to Puerto Rico next year for its 75th anniversary diamond celebration in 2026.

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Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several co-accused have been found guilty by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court in connection with a qualified human trafficking case related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations discovered in their town. Eight of the accused were acquitted by the court.

The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 167 handed down its decision on Guo and fifteen co-accused after more than a year of proceedings. 

The court found Guo and seven other accused guilty of qualified trafficking in persons, a case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

According to Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas, those convicted were principals or key figures in the organization of the POGO in Bamban. 

“Finally, after more than one year, napakabilis po ng korte binigay sa atin ‘yong favorable decision. Convicted si Alice and ‘yong seven other accused. Life sentence po ang forfeited ang buong Baofu compound in favor of the government.”

("Finally, after more than one year, the court delivered this favorable decision very quickly. Alice and seven other accused were convicted. The sentence is life imprisonment and the entire Baofu compound is forfeited in favor of the government,") she stated.

Following the verdict, the court ordered Guo's immediate transfer to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, while the other male accused will be sent to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa. This case is considered a landmark case, the first POGO-related case in the country.

The court's decision also includes a two-million-peso fine for each of those found guilty. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) expressed gratitude for the court's decision. 

“Napatunayan natin na sa pagkakaisa ng bawat ahensya with all the dedication and sincerity nothing is impossible.”

("We have proven that with unity among all agencies, with all the dedication and sincerity, nothing is impossible,") said PAOCC Chief Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr.

The PAOCC and Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were the first to file the complaint against the accused with the DOJ. - via Dante Amento

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Today is International Men's Day, a celebration that highlights the positive contributions men make to society while also addressing the challenges they face. 

Happy International Men's Day to the men who carry heavy burdens in silence, who fight battles nobody sees, and who rise each day with strength even when the weight feels unbearable. 

Started in 1999, International Men's Day focuses on six key pillars: positive male role models, men's achievements, men's health and wellbeing, discrimination against men, improved gender relations, and a safer, better world for everyone.

While men have traditionally been seen as strong and self-reliant, this day reminds us that men also face real struggles. 

Mental health issues, life pressures, and difficulties in expressing emotions are serious concerns that often go unaddressed. 

Society often expects men to be tough and hide their feelings, but this can be harmful. It's okay for men to ask for help, to show vulnerability, and to prioritize their mental and physical health.

Men are fathers, brothers, sons, and friends who deserve support and recognition. 

Men also work hard to provide for their families while they balance the demands of modern life. As we celebrate International Men's Day, it encourages men to speak up about their problems and break the silence around their struggles.

Celebrating men’s day isn't about competition between genders. It's about a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can also thrive. 

So today, take a moment to appreciate the men in your life and encourage open conversations about their well-being. 

Small acts of recognition and support can make a big difference.

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