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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG: Zaldy Co's deportation highly improbable

DILG: Zaldy Co's deportation highly improbable

Published Jan 19, 2026 05:55 pm
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
The deportation of dismissed Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co may be the “most logical way’’ to bring him back to the country from Portugal to face the charges in relation to anomalous flood control projects. 
But the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the deportation is highly improbable as an extradition request is still needed for his return,
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla said the mere cancellation of Co’s passport is insufficient since he carries a Portuguese passport, which gives him the rights and privileges of a Portuguese citizen.
He issued the explanation after ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima urged the government to negotiate Co’s deportation rather than pursue an extradition treaty.
“That is the most logical but the most improbable. Ang sinasabi ni Rep. Leila, madali sabihin, but it has to follow the rule of law (That is the most logical but the most improbable. What Rep. Leila wants is easy to say but has to follow the rule of law),’’ Remulla said.
Co, one of the legislators implicated in the flood control controversy, is believed to be in Portugal.
The Philippines and Portugal have no extradition treaty, but President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. earlier said he is eyeing to negotiate one for Co’s arrest.
“Negotiating an extradition treaty with Portugal just to arrest Zaldy Co takes so much effort and too much time. No sense of urgency can be implied from such an option,” de Lima said.
“What is more reasonable at this point is to negotiate with Portugal for Zaldy Co’s deportation to the Philippines,” she added.
But Remulla assured that the Philippine government is exploring avenues to repatriate Co.
“Pinag-aaralan namin kung ano ang avenues na open sa United Nations, kung ano ang agreements natin dun (We are exploring all avenues open to the United nations, want agreements we have),’’ Remulla noted.
Within the week, Remulla revealed that we will know what possible options the government can take but at present the Philippines and Portugal have no extradition treaty.
In November 2025, arrest warrants were issued against Co and others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp., over alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others with the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
However, Co has denied the allegations.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said that trial of the case against Co before the Sandiganbayan will begin on January 20.
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