By Brian Campued
The Philippine government is coordinating with the authorities of the Czech Republic to arrange former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s return to the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday.
According to Marcos Jr., 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,” he said.
The President’s latest update came after Thursday night’s announcement of Co’s arrest for “crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation.”
Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is “in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his (Zaldy Co) return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is also coordinating with concerned government agencies as well as international law enforcement counterparts to verify the information and developments regarding Co’s arrest.
“In line with the President’s statement, the PNP stands ready to provide necessary assistance and support in ensuring that all legal processes are properly observed, including coordination for his possible return to the Philippines,” PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
Co served as the chair of the House Committee on Appropriations from 2022 to January 2025 under the 19th Congress and was then linked to alleged anomalies involving multibillion-peso flood control projects.
He left the country in July 2025, initially citing medical treatment in the United States, but never returned.
The former Ako Bicol Party-list representative is facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in a P289.4-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
In November 2025, he was also declared a “fugitive from justice” by the anti-graft court.
-jpv
