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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Remulla: Feelers allegedly sent by Zaldy Co, wants dialogue with authorities

Remulla: Feelers allegedly sent by Zaldy Co, wants dialogue with authorities

Published Jan 21, 2026 05:31 pm
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Dismissed Ako-Bicol partylist representative Zaldy Co has allegedly sent feelers to some priests in a bid to get in touch with Philippine authorities, a Cabinet official disclosed on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla said Co sent feelers to the priests known to him, asking that he be connected with authorities. 
While the information is yet to be verified, Renulla reiterated a firm government stance against any form of bribery.
A former chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Co has been implicated in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control project anomalies. He is also facing a warrant for his arrest over the construction of an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
The DILG chief noted that Co probably has a Portuguese passport through the Golden Visa program that allows foreign nationals to acquire residency and eventually citizenship through substantial investments.
“Mag-invest ka ng so many hundred thousands of dollars, bumili ka ng bahay. After so many years, bibigyan ka ng passport. Una visa, tapos passport (Just invest hundreds thousands of dollars, buy a house. After so many years, you will be given a passport. Visa will first be issued, then the passport),’’ Remulla explained.
Further, Remulla explained that the Portuguese law states that deportation could still be possible if the alleged crimes were committed before the issuance of the passport.
“Kung nasa kanya (Co) na ‘yung passport, then he committed the crime, then he has to be tried there (If he has obtained the passport, then he committed the crime, then he has to be tried there (Portugal),’’ Remulla said.
Remulla said that the Philippines lacked an extradition treaty with Portugal, making the process more complicated.
Despite the challenges, Remulla said the government was exploring other legal options to bring Co back to the country, as discussed with Senator Panfilo Lacson.
“A treaty, dadaan sa Senado nila, sa Senado natin, Congress natin, Congress nila. It takes at least three years to formalize an extradition treaty. Hindi madali ‘yan, too long (The treaty will run through their Senate, in our Senate, through our Congress, their Congress, It takes at least three years to formalize an extradition treaty, It is not easy, too long),’’ Remulla pointed out.
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