Press Officer of Malacañang Speaks on Zaldy Co
MALACAÑANG – The Palace confirmed that former Congressman Zaldy Co has applied for political asylum in France.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos earlier declared that the Philippine government would ensure the return of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co to face accountability before the Filipino people. The remarks of the Chief Executive came after the reports that the Czech authorities had taken the former Congressman into custody.
Co has been accused of allegedly playing a major role in the alleged multi‑billion peso flood control scam in the Philippines — the biggest corruption in the country so far. Several government officials were implicated in the multi-billion corruption issue.
According to Marcos Jr., he instructed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate directly with Czech officials to arrange the former Congressman’s repatriation.
Furthermore, the President stressed that the process in bring Zaldy Co back to the Philippines must adhere strictly to legal protocols. However, doubts have surfaced regarding whether the former Congressman was ever formally arrested.
Reports state that Czech authorities declined to provide specific information about his status. The speculations were followed by clarifications from the DOJ.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez explained that Zaldy Co was “not technically arrested”. According to Martinez, the liberty of the former Congressman was restricted though while in Czechia. He compared the situation to instances where travelers are held at airports.
The DOJ Spokesperson further said that an official enforcement action did occur in Czechia about a week earlier. He confirmed that Co remains under Czech jurisdiction but he stopped short of specifying whether the former lawmaker is presently detained. His statement was immediately followed by a clarification from Malacañang.
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro was quick to clarify that the term “arrested” over Zaldy Co did not come from Pres. Bongbong Marcos. The Palace official also said that the President is careful with his words to the public.
However, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Malacañang recently confirmed that Zaldy Co has sought political asylum in France. According to the Atty. Claire Castro, the former Congressman is now under the custody of the French authorities.
“The DFA has received highly reliable information that Zaldy Co has a pending petition for political asylum in France. He has been requested to be transferred and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities,” Castro said.
Based on the report, the Malacañang Undersecretary claimed that the Philippine diplomatic missions in Europe were ordered to “obtain further official confirmation” about the matter.
Previously, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson revealed his plan to invite both former Cong. Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the Senate flood control probe.
