Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson criticized what he described as the government’s slow response in handling the case of former Rep. Zaldy Co, saying delays allowed the fugitive to move freely across multiple countries.

During the Kapihan sa Senado on Tuesday, May 6, Lacson said the authorities’ actions to arrest Co were delayed.

“Masyadong delayed ‘yung reaction,” Lacson said.

To recall, nearly two weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the reported arrest of Co in the Czech Republic. However, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida later said the former lawmaker was no longer in Czech custody.

Recent reports also indicate that Co is seeking “political asylum” in France, citing alleged political persecution.

Lacson also questioned why the Justice Secretary had to personally travel to the Czech Republic following reports of Co’s apprehension.

“And again, I cannot understand why the Secretary of Justice would go there himself. One week or how many days later, after the discovery na si Zaldy Co was apprehended by German authorities and turned over to the Czech Republic authorities,” Lacson said, noting that coordination should have been done immediately through diplomatic channels.

“Dapat agad-agad, at first instance na na-discover… tinawagan natin yung embassy kaagad doon. Alamin kung nasaan, anong problema, kailan maiuuwi. I think that's one parang shortcoming na nangyari rito,” he added.

Lacson said he believes efforts to locate Co should have begun immediately once reports of his arrest surfaced.

“Why did it take that much time before they actually exert effort para alamin man lang kung nasan si Zaldy Co,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the timing of coordination with international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, and Philippine counterparts such as the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Even before he was apprehended, dapat meron na tayong coordination directly with the Interpol. Ito yung voluminous documents na kailangan namin si Zaldy Co to answer for certain crimes. Ewan ko…Hindi ko alam, basta't mabagal,” he said.

Despite Co’s reported asylum application in France, Lacson said the matter remains uncertain, and the Philippine government should actively respond.

He also said he expects the government to “vigorously oppose” the asylum petition while awaiting France’s decision.

Meanwhile, Lacson said it is still unclear whether Co can be considered the “overall mastermind” in the alleged flood control corruption scandal, saying conclusions should depend on evidence presented in hearings.

“Depende sa evidence to be presented…and if he’s identified to be the overall manipulator, edi, so be it. Pero yun, hindi mo pa rin siya ma-attribute na mastermind,” he said.

He added that multiple cases could be filed against Co across different provinces, but this alone does not automatically make him the central figure in the scheme.

“Haharap siya sa napakaraming tawag dito, counts ng kaso. Meron siyang plunder sa Bulacan, may plunder sa Mindoro, may plunder siya sa kung saan man, ‘yun na lalabasan. So, series or number of accounts of cases na involved siya,” the senator emphasized.

“Pag sinabi yung mastermind, fully organized, parang mafia, na lahat na, sa'yo susunod. I don't think so kasi meron mga hindi niya rin kayang, probably, hindi ko sigurado, based on evidence, meron din talagang particular congressman, not necessarily Zaldy Co, congressman contractor, na nagmamanipulate siya within his sphere or area of influence,” he said.

Lacson also said that if evidence eventually implicates top officials, including President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, or Co himself, it should be properly presented and examined.