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Neither Malacañang nor the Division of Overseas Affairs has expounded on potential eventualities that might result in Zaldy Co’s return to the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated Friday, April 17, that former lawmaker and erstwhile ally Zaldy Co was stopped on the German border and returned to the Czech Republic, the place he stays in custody.
“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues. The most recent info confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped on the German border after coming into from the Czech Republic. He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, the place he stays in custody,” stated Marcos in posts on his official social media accounts.
The night time prior, on April 16, Marcos had introduced that Co — who has arrest warrants issued within the Philippines and whose Philippine passport has since been cancelled attributable to these warrants — was now within the custody of Czech authorities in Prague.
Co, former chair of the highly effective Home appropriations committee, is accused of being behind the manipulation of the nationwide funds, together with the alleged misuse of public funds for flood management initiatives that have been both substandard or non-existent.
A Rappler investigation had additionally earlier discovered Co retained useful possession of Sunwest, an organization that bagged billions of pesos in authorities initiatives. Marcos himself named Sunwest as amongst those that bagged probably the most authorities infrastructure initiatives.
Marcos, in a social media put up on April 16, initially stated Co was arrested after making an attempt to cross into the Czech Republic “with out correct documentation.”
The Marcos administration has been desirous to deliver Co again to the Philippines for the reason that flood management corruption scandal turned public — thanks, largely, to Marcos making it the centerpiece of his 2025 State of the Nation Handle. Co had slipped overseas even earlier than the twentieth Congress — which he was initially a part of — convened. At the moment, no costs had been filed and no arrest warrants had been issued towards Co.
In March 2026, Marcos advised the media that the Philippines was working with Portuguese authorities to deliver Co again to the nation. A pink discover earlier than Interpol had already been positioned by Manila in its makes an attempt to arrest and convey Co again house.
Since fleeing the nation, Co has became Marcos’ accuser and has claimed that the President and his shut associates, together with relations in Congress, both had information of corruption schemes or made cash from these schemes themselves. He has since turned silent, nonetheless, following these video-recorded exposes.
The method of bringing Co again stays unclear, as of this posting — neither Malacañang nor the Division of Overseas Affairs (DFA) has expounded on potential eventualities.
Ought to the Czech Republic select to deport him, for example, would it not be to the Philippines or to Portugal? Philippine officers, together with Inside Secretary Jonvic Remulla, have stated publicly that Co can also be a Portuguese citizen and holds a Portuguese passport.
Marcos had stated on April 16, nonetheless, that the Philippines is in “shut coordination with the Czech authorities to make sure that all authorized processes are adopted and to rearrange for his return to the Philippines on the soonest potential time.” — Rappler.com
