(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reiterated his administration’s resolve to bring former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co back to the Philippines.
Last April 16, Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic. He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody.
Co is facing charges in the Philippines for alleged involvement in the massive corruption tied to anomalous flood control projects.
In a video message released by Malacañang, the president said Co remains in Czech Republic custody, and that he has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate with the Czech authorities in ensuring that all necessary procedures are in order.
The Philippine government has yet to provide photo or video documentation of Co’s detention in the Czech Republic.
The former lawmaker left the Philippines in July 2025, citing he needed medical treatment abroad.
Co and several others were charged over the questionable P289.5-million flood works in Oriental Mindoro.
After being implicated in the flood control scandal, Co was declared a “fugitive from justice” by the Sandiganbayan, who later ordered the DFA to cancel his Philippine passport.
The court issued an arrest warrant for Co last November, and ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze his assets.
