MANILA, Nov. 26 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday alleged that a lawyer representing former lawmaker Zaldy Co attempted to "blackmail" the government by urging officials not to cancel Co's passport in exchange for halting the release of more online videos containing accusations against the administration.

In his latest report to the nation on the flood control probe, Marcos said Co's lawyer approached Malacanang and claimed that if the government does not cancel the former lawmaker's passport, he will stop releasing his "tell-all" videos online, a move the President flatly rejected.

"Nilapitan po kami ng abogado ni Zaldy Co at nagtatangkang mag-blackmail... na kung hindi namin kakanselahin ang passport niya, hindi na raw...