Deportation request for Zaldy Co ‘improbable’ — DILG

While deportation may seem the most “logical” way to bring former Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co back from Portugal, it is also the “most improbable,” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Monday.

Remulla made the remarks 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,” Remulla told BaliTanghali.

(That is the most logical but the most improbable. It is easy to say, but it has to follow the rule of law.)

Remulla explained why the government cannot simply cancel Co’s passport to force his return.

“Kailangan mo ng extradition request para ideport siya. The mere cancellation of passport does not work kasi may Portuguese passport siya. Ang passport niya gives him rights and privileges bilang isang Portuguese,” he said.

(We need an extradition request to deport him. The mere cancellation of his passport does not work because he has a Portuguese passport. His passport gives him rights and privileges as a Portuguese citizen.)

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 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.

Remulla said 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,” Remulla said.

(We are exploring all avenues open under the UN and the agreements we have there.)

“Malalaman natin within this week kung ano ang possible, pero sa ngayon, walang extradition ang Portugal at Philippines,” he said.

(We will know the possible legal avenues this week, but as of now, 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.

The Ombudsman earlier filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others with the Sandiganbayan.

These charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied the allegations.

The trial of the case against Co before the Sandiganbayan will begin on January 20, according to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.—MCG, GMA Integrated News