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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH to pursue all legal measures to bring back Zaldy Co; DOJ chief leaves April 23

PH to pursue all legal measures to bring back Zaldy Co; DOJ chief leaves April 23

Published Apr 22, 2026 05:08 pm
Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida vowed to explore all available legal processes to bring former congressman Zaldy Co back to the country as he is set to leave the country on Thursday, April 23, to meet and negotiate with Czech officials.
During an interview, Vida told journalists that he will be accompanied by Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan on his trip. He had earlier said that he would also be accompanied by representatives from the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC).
But Vida said he has no details yet as to who the Czech officials he and his team would be meeting and how long they would be staying abroad, “The details will come along.”
He assured that the Philippine government will explore all available legal processes to bring Zaldy Co back to the country.
In doing so, Vida said the top option is the deportation of Co and another option is the extradition of the fugitive former congressman.
“Gusto natin mapabalik ang akusado, si former congressman Zaldy Co, sa Pilipinas (We want the accused former congressman Zaldy Co back in the Philippines),” said
Vida reminded that “may tatlo s’yang arrest warrant mula sa Sandiganbayan na kailangan n’yang harapin at kailangan natin s’ya maibalik sa Sandiganbayan para maharap n’ya ang mga kaso kung saan siya ay nasasangkot (he has three arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan and he has to be brought before the court to face his charges).”
He cited that the Philippines and the Czech Republic are among the signatory countries to the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Corruption. And this means, according to him, that the Czech Republic will not condone corruption and will not allow a person involved to get away just because he is in another country.
Co has been arrested in Prague after allegedly crossing the border without proper documentation. His arrest was announced by President Marcos last April 16.
He was charged with graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds in the P289 million anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court, has ordered Co’s arrest and detention, and has declared him a fugitive from justice.
The arrest warrant could not be served because Co left the Philippines in July 2025 and has not returned since then.
The former congressman is also facing several criminal complaints before the DOJ.

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