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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider JV Ejercito: Bringing home Zaldy Co 'in one piece' would be a challenge

JV Ejercito: Bringing home Zaldy Co 'in one piece' would be a challenge

Published Apr 21, 2026 04:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito made the remark amid calls to ensure that the government would be able to bring back Co to the country safely so he can testify on the anomalies on government flood control projects.


Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said on Tuesday, April 21 that bringing home former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co “in one piece” would surely be a challenge.

Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Contributed photo)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Contributed photo)

Ejercito made the remark amid calls to ensure that the government would be able to bring back Co to the country safely so he can testify on the anomalies on government flood control projects.

“Zaldy Co, being one of the Masterminds of the Floodgates Scandal should be brought home at all costs and tell all what he knows about the  biggest corruption scandal in our history,” Ejercito said in a statement.

“The challenge here is to bring him back in one piece,  there might be others who do not wish that he be brought back in the country,” the senator stressed.

“Maraming matatakot pag nakabalik si Zaldy, lalo ang mga 'Congtractors!' (Many are scared if Zaldy returns to the country, especially the so-called congtractors),” he said referring to the lawmakers at the House of Representatives who are allegedly operating as contractors for government projects.

Ejercito’s statement came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed to ensure Co’s return to the Philippines to face investigation.

The President had said that Co remains in custody of the Czech Republic, after being arrested for attempting to cross the German border without proper travel documentation.

Ejercito said it is imperative for Co to be investigated and be held accountable along with other personalities allegedly involved in the scam.

“Dapat siyang ma-imbestigahan ng husto para ituloy na nya ang pagsisiwalat ng nalalaman niya sa flood control scheme (He should be thoroughly investigated so that he can continue to reveal what he knows about the flood control scheme),” the senator stressed.

“At syempre, dapat rin siyang mapanagot gaya ng mga kasama niyang Congtractors na pasimuno ng scam na ito (And of course, he should also be held accountable like his fellow Contractors who initiated this scam),” the lawmaker further said.

Related Tags

Zaldy Co flood control anomalies flood control probe JV Ejercito Congtractor
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