President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Thursday night the arrest of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic.
The arrest, announced via the President’s official Facebook and X accounts, marks a significant development in the ongoing flood control controversy that has ensnared the former lawmaker.
Co is currently detained in Prague after entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is in the custody of Czech authorities.
President Marcos stated that the Philippine government is working closely with the Czech government to ensure all legal processes are followed and to facilitate Co’s swift return to the Philippines.
“We will keep the public informed as developments unfold,” the President assured. Co, who also formerly chaired the House appropriations panel, faces charges of graft and malversation related to an alleged substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. These charges were filed along with 15 other individuals. In March, the Sandiganbayan had upheld its declaration of Co as a fugitive from justice.
The arrest comes after a period of intense accusations leveled by Co against President Marcos and his cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a series of videos released last November, Co alleged that Marcos and Romualdez were involved in P100 billion worth of supposed insertions in the national budget and claimed they received up to P56 billion in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects. Both the President and the former Speaker have vehemently denied these allegations. President Marcos had previously challenged Co to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him.
The apprehension of Zaldy Co in Prague is a crucial step in the legal proceedings against him. The Philippine government’s coordination with Czech authorities underscores its commitment to bringing individuals accused of serious crimes to justice, regardless of their location.
This development is expected to shed further light on the flood control controversy and the alleged financial irregularities. The public awaits further updates as the legal processes for Co’s extradition and potential trial in the Philippines unfold.
