INTERIOR and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed on Friday that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co is currently staying in a luxurious residence located along the prestigious Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.
Speaking at the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum in Manila, Remulla disclosed that the property boasts ten bedrooms and is situated near a Christian Dior boutique, placing it right in the heart of one of the world’s most famous avenues known for luxury shopping and landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe. He estimated the home’s value at around €200 million, or approximately ₱14.18 billion based on current exchange rates — a staggering amount for a person facing serious corruption charges in the Philippines.
According to Remulla, the property’s prime location and size reflect immense wealth, raising questions about the former official’s assets amid ongoing legal proceedings against him. “He has a house on Champs-Elysees with 10 bedrooms and is close to a Christian Dior store. A house like that is probably worth maybe 200 million euros. He’s there now,” the Interior Secretary said. He later clarified that the figure referred to euros and not dollars, emphasizing the enormous monetary value of the real estate in question.
Zaldy Co is currently a wanted man in the Philippines, facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds linked to an allegedly irregular ₱289.5‑million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Last month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that Co had been detained in the Czech Republic after attempting to cross into Germany using invalid travel documents. However, Remulla confirmed that the former lawmaker was released by Czech authorities after just 72 hours and has since evaded capture, eventually making his way to France.
Malacañang previously stated that Co went to France to seek asylum, claiming he is a victim of political persecution. His ability to travel across European countries despite being a fugitive and the discovery of his multimillion‑euro residence have drawn public attention and raised concerns about how he acquired such vast resources and managed to remain at large. Authorities continue to monitor his whereabouts and pursue legal measures to bring him back to the Philippines to face trial.
