Marcos orders Zaldy Co’s extradition from Czech Republic

Marcos orders Zaldy Co’s extradition from Czech Republic

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an urgent and unequivocal directive for the immediate extradition of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co from the Czech Republic.

Co, a central figure in a burgeoning multi-trillion-peso flood control and infrastructure scandal, is now at the nexus of a deepening national crisis, amplified by explosive allegations directly implicating President Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in receiving billions in illicit kickbacks from the very “ghost projects” for which Co is wanted.

President Marcos’s impassioned video address on Monday underscored the critical imperative of Co’s swift return to face justice in the Philippines. “He is currently in the custody of the Czech Republic, and we are taking all necessary actions to ensure his return to the Philippines,” Marcos declared, emphasizing the government’s steadfast commitment to due process and the rule of law amidst burgeoning accusations of high-level corruption that engulf his administration.

Intensive Diplomatic Offensive Launched Amidst Mounting Scrutiny and Allegations

A high-level delegation, personally dispatched by the President, is now en route to the Czech Republic. Spearheaded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), this diplomatic offensive is meticulously engineered to navigate the intricate international legal landscape with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

A specialized “high-level coordination team” has been tasked with overseeing all facets of the extradition process in Prague, signaling the administration’s unyielding determination to brook no delays in bringing Co back to the Philippines, even as the shadow of his alleged claims looms ominously large over the highest echelons of power.

“I have directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with Czech authorities to ensure that all necessary legal procedures are properly executed,” the President reiterated, noticeably omitting any direct reference to the grave allegations against himself and the former Speaker. “A high-level team will also be sent to closely monitor developments.” This conspicuous silence only intensifies public speculation regarding the veracity of the claims.

The Charges: A Multi-Trillion-Peso Scandal and Damning, Unconfirmed Allegations

Zaldy Co vanished from public view in July of the previous year, ostensibly for “medical reasons,” leaving a trail of unanswered questions. His whereabouts remained a mystery until his recent apprehension at the German border while attempting to cross from the Czech Republic without proper documentation. He is currently detained in Prague, a development that has reignited the firestorm around the alleged 2025 flood control and infrastructure irregularities – a scandal now estimated to involve public funds amounting to staggering trillions of pesos.

Crucially, sources close to the unfolding investigation and information circulating widely within political circles allege that Co possesses highly incriminating evidence directly linking President Marcos and former House Speaker Romualdez to a sophisticated scheme involving billions of pesos in illicit kickbacks. These alleged payoffs are reportedly tied to the very “ghost projects” and fraudulent infrastructure initiatives central to the scandal that has defrauded the Filipino people.

The gravity of these unconfirmed but persistent allegations casts a significant and unprecedented pall over the President’s personal integrity and intensifies the administration’s stated determination to bring those responsible for defrauding the Filipino people to justice. The paramount question now is not merely if Co will be extradited, but what explosive revelations he might unleash upon his return.

“He Will Be Held Accountable to the Filipino People” – But What Account Will He Give?

President Marcos acknowledged the inherent complexities of international extradition, noting that legal processes between nations invariably require time. However, he maintained a resolute stance: “We will bring Zaldy Co back, and we will do so lawfully. He will be held accountable to the Filipino people.”

The swift and assertive response from the Philippine government, while outwardly signaling a strong message that no one is above the law, takes on a critically new and perilous dimension in light of the explosive allegations now swirling around the highest office. The focus now shifts dramatically from merely bringing Co to justice for his alleged crimes to the potentially devastating revelations he might unleash once back on Philippine soil.

This decisive action by President Marcos marks a pivotal and potentially seismic moment in the ongoing quest for accountability regarding alleged grand corruption, promising to keep the nation on edge as high-stakes diplomatic efforts intersect with potentially devastating political fallout. The contents of Co’s anticipated testimony could irrevocably alter the landscape of Philippine politics, with profound implications for the Marcos administration and the very fabric of governance.