MANILA — The Philippine government has begun formal steps to secure the return of former lawmaker Zaldy Co from the Czech Republic, with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordering a coordinated, high-level legal effort to bring him home to face graft and malversation charges.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law,” Marcos said, underscoring that the process will strictly adhere to international and domestic legal procedures as Co remains under the custody of Czech authorities following his arrest last week.
The President said he has directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead coordination with Czech officials to ensure all legal requirements are properly met.
“Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Czech Republic upang matiyak na maayos at naayon na proseso ang lahat ng kinakailangan,” he said.
Marcos also announced that a high-level government team will be dispatched to oversee coordination on the ground and facilitate the legal steps necessary for Co’s repatriation, noting that such proceedings involve formal intergovernmental processes that may take time.
Co is facing graft and malversation charges in connection with an alleged P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, reportedly undertaken by a firm owned by his family.
A former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, Co has denied the allegations. He left the Philippines in 2025 and had not returned prior to his arrest.
Authorities earlier said Co was intercepted at the German border after traveling from the Czech Republic and was subsequently taken into custody as legal proceedings continue./PN
