President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is “disappointed” over the latest development involving fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is no longer under the custody of Czech authorities, Malacañang said.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president personally expressed disappointment, noting that authorities were close to bringing Co back to the Philippines.

“Sinabi niya na disappointed siya dahil malapit na sana natin na pauwi si Zaldy Co,” Castro said.

She explained that the case is now subject to the jurisdiction of other countries involved, particularly the Czech Republic, where Co was initially held for allegedly using invalid documentation. Czech authorities, she said, will determine the next course of action.

When asked if the president should apologize for raising public expectations about Co’s return, Castro pushed back, saying there was no lapse on the administration’s part.

“Lahat naman po tayo ay umasa… lahat naman po na dapat gawin ay ginawa ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon,” she said, adding that the president's earlier statements were based on accurate information at the time.

Castro also clarified that the president's move to call in ambassadors from the Czech Republic and France is meant to review the situation and determine if there were any gaps or additional steps that could have been taken.

“Aalamin lamang po ng Pangulo kung ano pa ang dapat pang nagawa,” she said.

She emphasized that the government continues to act within international legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, as it pursues Co’s return to face malversation charges.

Despite the setback, Malacañang reiterated its commitment to exhaust all legal and diplomatic means to bring Co back to the Philippines.