Marcos: We will bring Zaldy Co home in accordance with law

''We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law."

This was the commitment made by President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday in relation to the case of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is currently in the custody of Czech Republic authorities. 

Marcos also ensured that ''he (Co) will answer to the Filipino people.''

The President said he already instructed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead in ensuring that due process will be followed in bringing Co back to the Philippines. 

''Nanatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,'' he said.

(He remains under custody of Czech Republic and we are doing everything to bring him back to the Philippines.) 

''Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Czech Republic upang matiyak na maayos at naayon na proseso ang lahat ng kinakailangan,'' he added.

(I already instructed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead in coordinating with Czech Republic authorities to ensure that due process is followed.) 

A high-level coordination team will also be sent to look into the process, according to Marcos. 

''Ang ganitong mga proseso ay may sinusunod na mga legal na hakbang sa pagitan ng mga bansa. Kaya't nangangailangan ng sapat na panahon upang maisagawa nang tama,'' he said.

(This kind of process needs to follow legal steps between the two countries. So, we need enough time to process this.)

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

READ: Who is Zaldy Co?

Former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Henry Alcantara linked him and other officials to kickbacks from alleged ghost flood control projects.

Co was the former chairman of the influential Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and was instrumental in the shaping of the national budget.

The former lawmaker has since denied the accusations against him. He went to the United States in August 2025 for medical treatment and has since not returned to the Philippines.

LIST: Zaldy Co’s reported whereabouts since leaving PH amid flood control probe

It was last week when the President announced Co's arrest.

Co was reportedly with his family when they were stopped and subjected to a random check at the border as they were entering Germany from the Czech Republic. —AOL, GMA News