Who is Zaldy Co? 

Former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co again made the news following his arrest and detention in Prague, Czech Republic, more than a month after the Sandiganbayan considered him a fugitive from justice.

Co began his foray in politics as a representative of the Ako Bicol party-list, which won three seats in Congress. 

In 2022, he was appointed chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, making him a central figure in the shaping of the national budget.

As head of the influential committee panel, he oversaw the allocation of billions of pesos in public funds and funding for infrastructure, regional development programs, and social services.

On September 29, 2025, however, he resigned from his post amid allegations of massive corruption in connection with flood control projects and insertions in the national budget, accusations that he repeatedly denied while abroad.

His resignation came after the now-defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman file graft, malversation, and falsification charges against him and others.

Co was one of the 16 individuals facing charges of graft and malversation in connection with the alleged substandard P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro built by Sunwest Corporation - a firm owned by his immediate family members. 

The Anti-Money Laundering Council alleged that Co received P802 million through cheque deposits drawn from Sunwest accounts from 2019 to 2025.

The period covers Co’s tenure as a lawmaker, which means he is prohibited by law from having business interests as a public official. 

Co was later reported to have left for New York in the United States, citing medical treatment. Since then, the lawmaker was reportedly found in various countries such as Japan and Portugal.

The Sandiganbayan later declared Co a fugitive from justice. 

Co finished his degree in computer engineering from AMA University in 1992 and obtained a post graduate degree in business administration from Aquinas University (now UST-Legazpi) in 1998. 

According to his official Facebook page, Co ventured into construction prior to his stint in politics. He served as director of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. 

Co is married to Mylene Recinto. They have four children, including Ellis, who is a fashion designer.  

After several months in hiding, Co was arrested in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —LDF, GMA News