President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that fugitive former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co was stopped at the German border after crossing in from the Czech Republic and was returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody.
In a statement posted on his official social media accounts, Marcos said Philippine authorities continue to coordinate with Czech officials regarding Co’s status. “Our coordination with Czech authorities continues. The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic. He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody,” Marcos said. Yesterday night, April 16, Marcos announced that Co had been arrested by Czech authorities while allegedly attempting to enter the Czech Republic ”without proper documentation.” In December 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) canceled Co’s passport, on orders of the Sandiganbayan. An arrest warrant was issued for him in connection with a corruption case, in compliance with Republic Act No. 8239, also known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996. Co is also believed to be using a Portuguese passport reportedly obtained years ago. The Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with the Czech Republic, but Marcos said government coordination efforts are ongoing with Czech counterparts. Co, a former chair of the House appropriations committee, is wanted in the country over allegations that he orchestrated a large-scale corruption scheme involving anomalies in flood control projects and manipulation of the national budget. The former legislator had reportedly been outside the Philippines for at least nine months, even before the allegations became public and controversial. He is believed to have stayed in Europe for several months, with reported sightings in Italy and France. Investigators alleged that billions of pesos were funneled through kickback schemes involving lawmakers and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
