By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
A Philippine delegation will fly to the Czech Republic to work out the legal details for the return home of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida said during a press briefing in Manila, “Confident po ang Department of Justice na tama po ang prosesong ginagawa natin. Marami po tayong legal options na ginagawa para ma-ipabalik s’ya sa atin.”
Vida said the DOJ started the process of bringing Co back to the country in November 2025, when the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against the former chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
He also downplayed speculation that Co is not in the custody of the Czech Republic, “I do confirm that it’s not a belief. It’s a factual setting na doon sa custody ng Czech authorities.”
Co, a main suspect in anomalous ghost flood control projects and budget insertions, was arrested and detained in Prague last week after crossing the Czech Republic without proper documentation.
Three arrest warrants have already been issued against Co, and it will be up to the Sandiganbayan to decide where to detain him.
Vida said, “Titimbangin lahat pero walang special treatment. Ang lahat ng mga akusado natin ngayon, ang karamihan na doon sa Quezon City, pero ayaw natin pangunahan. Dahil ang usapin po kung saan ikukulong, ito po ay [nasa] diskresyon at desisyon ng korte.” (PNA)
