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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Huli ka': The Zaldy Co timeline

'Huli ka': The Zaldy Co timeline

Published Apr 17, 2026 08:13 am

At A Glance

  • From uploading video exposés against President Marcos in November 2025 to getting nabbed by authorities in the Czech Republic in April 2026, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co's days as a fugitive have seemingly come to an end.
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)


From uploading video exposés against President Marcos in November 2025 to getting nabbed by authorities in the Czech Republic in April 2026, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co's days as a fugitive have seemingly come to an end.
While we await Co's eventual return to the Philippines, let's take a quick look at the timeline of events starting with his election as a member of the House of Representatives in the current 20th Congress.
Needlews to say, it went downhill fast for the former House Committee on Appropriations chairman.
June 30, 2025 -- Co begins his third and final term as a House member under Ako Bicol Party-list. He served as appropriations panel chief for the entirety of the previous 19 Congress (2022-2025), and was a staunch supporter of the Marcos administration.
July 19, 2025 -- Co quietly leaves the Philippines amid growing pressure for him to provide clarity to issue of budget insertions and later on, the flood control projects corruption scandal.
Sept. 5, 2025 -- Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin confirms that Co is seeking medical treatment for a heart ailment in the United States (US). Garbin says his co-nominee has presumably gone to Singapore as well.
Sept. 29, 2025 -- Co, while still abroad, resigns as a House member. He cited "the real, direct, grave and imnminent threat to the lives of my family members and me, and the evident denial of my right to due process of law" as reasons for his resignation.
October 2025 -- Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco prods the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel Co's passport. This was during the mounting public outrage over the flood control projects mess.
Nov. 14, 2025 -- After being quiet for months, Co uploads the first in a series of video exposés about President Marcos and his administration. He prefaces it by claiming that administrstion is doing everything in its power to "silence" him.
In succeding videos, Co alleges that the Chief Executive received billions in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects. He shares pictures of luggages allegedly filled with money.
Jan. 8, 2026 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) seizes eight luxury cars allegedly owned by Co.
Jan. 21, 2026 -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla reveals that Co has sent feelers to the priests known to him, asking that he be connected with Philippine authorities. 
Jan. 22, 2026 -- Remulla says Co has been staying in a gated community in Lisbon, Portugal.
Jan. 23, 2026 -- Former Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor says Co is willing to become a witness against President Marcos, who is facing a slew of impeachment cases. These cases were eventually dismissed by the House Committee on Justice.
Jan. 29, 2026 -- The Supreme Court (SC) officially release Co's petition seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would stop the enforcement of the Nov. 14, 2025 Ombudsman resolution. The resolution ordered the filing of graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds charges against Co and several co-accused before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.
Jan. 29 -- Remulla says an infuriated President Marcos has ordered the DILG to bring home fugitive Co at all costs.
Feb. 17, 2026 -- Remulla says the DILG will rely on the DFA's diplomatic channels and legal processes to get Co.
Feb. 18, 2026 -- Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro says the manhunt for Co remains a whole-of-government effort.
March 12, 2026 -- While in New York, President Marcos says that the Philippine government continues to work with authorities in Portugal for Co's return to Manila.
March 17, 2026 -- Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo tells the Sandiganbayan that he received P130 million as “balato” (gift or tip) from Co.
April 1, 2026 -- The Sandiganbayan affirms the denial of the bail petitions filed by the nine co-accused of Co in the non-bailable malversation of public funds case that was filed in the “anomalous” P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
April 7, 2026 -- The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) tells the Sandiganbayan that Co remains the beneficial owner of consttruction firm Sunwest, Inc. with around P802 million in recorded transactions since 2019.
April 16, 2026 -- President Marcos announces Co's arrest in Prague, Czech Republic, after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation.

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