Philippines to send team to Czech Republic to pave way for return of fugitive Co

THE PHILIPPINES will send a high-level coordination team to the Czech Republic to facilitate the return of a former congressman who is facing corruption charges over a multibillion-peso infrastructure scandal, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Monday.

Mr. Marcos said ex-Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co, a resigned lawmaker implicated in irregularities in public works projects, will be made to face accusations in the Philippines, though he cautioned that the process would take time due to legal procedures between countries.

“These processes follow legal steps between countries, so it takes time to be done correctly,” he said in a video message in Filipino. “We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people.”

Mr. Co is facing graft and malversation charges linked to a P298-million substandard road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, allegedly implemented by a firm tied to his family.

Authorities say the case is part of a broader investigation into ghost and substandard infrastructure projects flagged across several regions.

Mr. Marcos disclosed in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2025 alleged collusion between government officials and private contractors in a kickback scheme involving public works contracts.

He subsequently created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate anomalies in projects over the past decade.

The President has ordered the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with Czech authorities to ensure Mr. Co’s proper turnover to Philippine custody. Manila and Prague do not have an extradition treaty, making the process legally complex.

“He remains in the custody of the Czech Republic and we are taking all necessary steps for his return,” Mr. Marcos said.

The Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Co and several others, while the International Criminal Police Organization has been asked to issue a red notice.

Mr. Co, who chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, left the country in July 2025 ahead of the President’s SONA, supposedly for medical treatment abroad. He was later reported to have been detained in Prague after crossing into Czech territory without proper documentation.

He has denied all allegations, accusing senior government officials of budget insertions amounting to billions of pesos — claims that Malacañang and congressional leaders have rejected.

The controversy has contributed to heightened scrutiny of the national budget process and slowed fiscal deliberations, with the government entering 2026 under a reenacted budget for several days amid stricter legislative review. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana