Pres. Bongbong Marcos Vowed To Bring Zaldy Co Back to PH Following Reported Arrest in Prague
ZALDY CO – The Czech authorities remain mum on the reported arrest and detention of the former Congressman.
One of the alleged biggest role players in the multi-billion flood control scam is Zaldy Co. He is the former chairman of the Budget Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives. Several witnesses in the flood control issue accused Co of corruption.
Countless Filipinos were left disappointed and calling for accountability after several government figures have been implicated in the flood control controversy. Those identified include members of the House of Representatives as well as officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Amid the flood control mess, the DPWH has become the focal point of criticism in relation to the issue. Some senators and former senators have also been associated with the matter and both the House of Representatives and the Senate have change in leaderships.
Allegations of multi-billion corruption through the flood control initiatives of the government gave rise to the “Trillion Peso March”. Thousands of Filipinos joined the said protest movement that was conducted twice in 2025.
By the time the flood control issue surfaced, Zaldy Co had already left the Philippines. Through posts on social media, he accused Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of alleged involvement in the flood control mess.
Furthermore, Co also accused Marcos Jr., through Romualdez, of allegedly instructing him to remain abroad. The Palace has firmly rejected these claims.
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the former Congressman invoked the President’s name in an alleged effort to halt the investigation.
Recently, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced to the Filipino people through a social media post that Zaldy Co has been arrested in Prague. Shortly after, it was followed by the President speaking in a video message and vowing to bring home the former Congressman.
“Magbibigay lang ako sa inyo ng pahayag tungkol sa kalagayan ni Zaldy Co. Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos Jr. said.
The statement of Pres. Bongbong Marcos came amid the doubts of the veracity of the reports that Zaldy Co has been arrested in Prague. According to the Chief Executive, he has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate with the Czech authorities to ensure that all procedures follow proper legal channels.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” he expressed.
However, based on a report on GMA News, the Czech authorities remain mum on the reported arrest and detention of Zaldy Co. According to the Head of the Press Department of the Police of the Czech Republic, Colonel PhDr. Ondrej Moravcík, the Czech police may not provide information on any specific case.
Based on the report, Moravcik also said that the Czech Ministry of Justice may comment on the matter.
“We will not provide any information on the case. You must contact the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic,” Foreign Police Service spokesperson Capt. Bc. Josef Urban stated.
Previously, Department of Interior and Local Government or DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla spoke on the arrest of Zaldy Co.
