Zaldy Co Arrested in Prague: President Marcos Confirms

Zaldy Co arrested, detained in Prague, Marcos confirms President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Confirmed the arrest of fugitive former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday night. Co is currently detained in the capital after entering the country without proper documentation and is in the custody of local authorities. The President announced the development through his social media channels, stating that the Philippine government is in close coordination with Czech officials to ensure all legal processes are followed and to arrange for Co’s return to the Philippines at the earliest possible time. Co, who chaired the House appropriations committee during the early part of the Marcos administration, has been linked to alleged irregularities in the national budget involving billions of pesos in infrastructure projects. He has been in hiding since July 2025, following the President’s remarks on public works corruption during his State of the Nation Address. His arrest ends nearly nine months of evasion after he fled Manila. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had previously stated that Co spent time in Portugal, which Remulla planned to visit to arrange the former lawmaker’s detention. Co is facing an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan for alleged malversation of public funds and graft. The charges stem from an allegedly anomalous road dike project in Oriental Mindoro worth P289.5 million. The warrant also covers at least 15 other individuals from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the construction company Sunwest Corp. He resigned from Congress after declining calls from House leadership to return to the country. His travel clearance had been revoked prior to his departure. Officials have expressed optimism that the resolution of high-profile corruption cases like Co’s could strengthen transparency and accountability in government bureaucracy, potentially improving the Philippines’ economic performance, which grew at 4.4 percent in the previous year—below expectations due in part to concerns over corruption in state projects. The Philippine government continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as developments unfold.