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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace challenges Co to reveal truth

Palace challenges Co to reveal truth

Published Apr 17, 2026 01:25 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and former congressman Zaldy Co (RTVM/Facebook)
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and former congressman Zaldy Co (RTVM/Facebook)

Malacañang challenged former congressman and businessman Zaldy Co to tell the truth regarding the flood control scandal upon his return to the Philippines.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after President Marcos announced late Thursday, April 16, that Co was arrested in Prague, Czech Republic, after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation.

In a press briefing, Castro said the focus should be on whether Co is willing to disclose what he knows, instead of his allegations against the President.

“Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan (The question is whether Zaldy Co is ready to tell the truth),” she said Friday, April 17.

In a series of video uploads to Facebook, Co had alleged that President Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez received billions in kickbacks, claims that the Palace dismisses as fabricated blackmail. He likewise accused officials of authorizing P100 billion in 2025 budget insertions.

Arrest seen as ‘good news’

Asked if the President was “happy” with Co’s arrest, Castro replied, “Definitely.”

“Ang utos po niya, managot ang dapat managot (His directive is that those who must be held accountable should be held accountable),” she said.

“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 (If a person has an arrest warrant against him, a fugitive, his passport canceled — who will not be happy that a fugitive will finally return to the country)?” she added.

She added that bringing Co back to the country would allow him to face the charges against him.

Marcos initiated a probe

The Palace Press Officer emphasized that President Marcos himself ordered the investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

“Ang Pangulo ang nanguna sa pagpapaimbestiga (The President led the investigation),” Castro said.

She added that the government has not declared anyone guilty, but those implicated must undergo a proper investigation.

Castro likewise stressed that the administration is not prejudging any individual.

“Wala pong inaakusahan ang Pangulo kung sino ang guilty or not guilty (The President is not accusing anyone of being guilty),” she said.

However, she said it is only proper that those named in the issue be investigated.

“Ang Pangulo ay handang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved (The President is ready to listen to everything that those involved may say),” Castro said.

Marcos said in a social media post that authorities are coordinating with Czech authorities to Co back to the Philippines to face charges.

Related Tags

Claire Castro Zaldy Co flood control
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