President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is “definitely” happy following the arrest of fugitive former Congressman Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic, Malacañang said Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Iloilo province, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said that the former lawmaker has an existing warrant of arrest over his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

Co was apprehended by Czech authorities on April 16 while allegedly attempting to enter the country without proper documentation, according to a statement posted by Marcos on his official social media accounts.

Castro said the President has consistently maintained that those responsible must be held accountable.

“Definitely. Dahil sabi nga po natin ang utos po niya, managot ang dapat na managot. Kung ang isang tao po ay may warrant of arrest, fugitive, cancelled ang passport – sino po ang hindi matutuwa na ang isang taong fugitive ay maibabalik sa Pilipinas para managot,” Castro said.

Malacañang also cited Co’s arrest to counter claims that the government had already abandoned the investigation into the flood control scandal.

“Nais lang po nating ipaalala sa mga nagsasabing kinalimutan na ang flood control scandal, hindi po iyan totoo. Ang pagkilos ng gobyerno, ang utos ng Pangulo ay nananatili – managot ang dapat na managot,” Castro said.

When asked about Co’s possible “tell-all” statements, particularly after previously linking Marcos and other officials to the controversy, Castro said the focus should be on whether the former lawmaker is prepared to tell the truth.

“Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan. Kung handa ba siya na sabihin kung sino. Hindi natin sinasabing siya ay guilty – kung sino ba iyong kaniyang mga nakasama,” she added.

Castro reiterated that it was Marcos who initiated the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, including during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2025. She said the President remains open to hearing statements from all individuals involved.

“Ang Pangulo, uulitin po natin, ang siyang nagsimulang magpaimbestiga ng maanomalyang flood control projects. Siya ang naunang magpaimbestiga ng diumanong korupsiyon. Ang Pangulo ay handang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved at dapat na managot sa batas,” she added.

In November last year, Co released a series of recorded videos accusing Marcos, Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and several Cabinet members of orchestrating billions of pesos in budget insertions at the bicameral level.

Co had been out of the country for nearly nine months after leaving in July 2025, reportedly for a medical checkup.

Marcos said that the government continues to coordinate with Czech authorities for Co’s return to the Philippines to face the charges filed against him.