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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
April 17, 2026 | 11:02am
In this photo uploaded on Facebook on May 6, 2025 shows Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list) delivering a speech.
Zaldy Co via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co may be back in the Philippines anytime within one to three weeks, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Co, who has been out of the country since mid-2025, is wanted by Philippine authorities for allegedly orchestrating multi-billion peso corruption scheme.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that Co was caught by Czech officials while attempting to cross the border into Germany.
In an interview on DZMM, the Interior Secretary said that Co may be back in the Philippines within one to two weeks, but it depends on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The DFA will serve as the lead agency until the point that Co is turned over to the Philippine authorities.
Remulla explained that Co’s deportation order is based on a canceled passport.
“Hindi niya kasi dala ang kanyang Portuguese passport. Wala siya dala. Parang nakampante na,” Remulla said.
(He did not bring his Portuguese passport. He did not bring anything. It is like he got complacent.)
The DFA has already contacted the Czech Republic’s government to inform them that Co is wanted and the Philippines is working on securing a deportation order, Remulla said.
What happens once Co is in the Philippines?
In a separate interview on ANC, Remulla said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be the first to detain Co. The Interior Secretary himself said that he will serve as the arresting officer once Co is returned to the Philippines.
The former lawmaker will get a physical and mental checkup. He will also need to take a mugshot.
The PNP will then turn over Co to the Sandiganbayan since he was already indicted.
Once he is turned over to the Sandiganbayan, Co will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. The anti-graft court will then decide if he can post bail.
The chances of the court granting Co bail are slim, however, Remulla said, explaining that the evidence against the former lawmaker is strong.
