Zaldy Co back to PH ‘maybe within a week or month’ —Jonvic Remulla

Former lawmaker Zaldy Co may be returned to the Philippines “within a week or within a month,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.

In a report of Mariz Umali on GTV’s Balitanghali, Remulla said Philippine authorities are now coordinating with officials in Czech Republic to facilitate Co’s return.

“Maybe within a week or within a month,” Remulla said.

Co was earlier reported detained in Prague after he was flagged as an “unwanted alien” for allegedly lacking valid travel documents.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Co was intercepted near the Germany–Czech border and was denied entry into Germany.

Remulla said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is leading the coordination with Czech authorities for Co’s return to the Philippines.

Czech Republic has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, which may affect the process.

Once back in the Philippines, Co will be turned over to police authorities and brought to Camp Crame for processing, including a medical assessment to determine his fitness for the trial.

Then, Co will be presented before the Sandiganbayan, which will decide on his detention arrangements.

Arrest warrants were issued against Co and 17 others including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control projects. 

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

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

These were the first lodged against those allegedly involved in the flood control kickback scheme that Marcos first flagged during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July.

Government prosecutors said that the P289 million non-existent flood control project built by Sunwest Corporation, a firm owned by Co's immediate family members, is substandard.

"The Office of the Ombudsman welcomes the issuance of warrants of arrest against Zaldy Co and the 17 other accused in the corruption cases filed before the Sandiganbayan last Tuesday," the Ombudsman said in a statement.

"To the law enforcement agencies whose responsibility it is to effect the arrests—execute the warrants without delay. Ensure their immediate arrest and bring them before the bar of justice," it added.

Co has denied the allegations. —AOL, GMA News