Daven Tamayo

DILG chief confident in arrest of Zaldy Co despite extradition hurdles

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed confidence that former lawmaker Zaldy Co will eventually be arrested, even as legal hurdles remain due to his current location abroad.Remulla earlier confirmed that Co is now in Portugal and carries a Portuguese passport.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/zaldy-co-passport-cancelled-dilg-1458">DILG: Zaldy Co may be in Portugal; public urged to help find ex-solon</a></div>&quot;As of now, wala tayong extradition treaty with Portugal kaya tingin namin doon siya nagtatago,&quot; Remulla said.Remulla explained that Portuguese law may limit prosecution depending on when the alleged crime was committed.&quot;Ang pagkaalam ko, if the crime was committed before the acquisition of the passport, ay hindi siya chargeable. Kung after the acquisition, pwede siyang i-repatriate,&quot; he said.&quot;Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Kasi maliit ang mundo, mas lalong lumiliit ang mundo niya. Pwede siyang magkamali, pwede tayong swertehin. Pwedeng through negotiations mapagbigyan tayo ng Portuguese government,&quot; he added. Remulla also confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has seized assets believed to be connected to Co, including properties in Forbes Park and parts of Bicol.&quot;Lahat ng properties pinasok namin. &#x27;Yung sa Forbes wala sa pangalan niya, pero beneficial owner siya,&quot; he said. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/nbi-says-documents-found-in-zaldy-co-s-condo-units-as-search-enters-second-day-1229">READ: NBI says documents found in Zaldy Co&#x27;s condo units as search enters second day</a></div>Co has been implicated in what authorities describe as the largest corruption scandal involving ghost flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as alleged budget insertions in the House of Representatives.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged Co to return to the Philippines, assuring the public that the government&#x27;s investigation into the alleged anomalies will not end in disappointment.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed confidence that former lawmaker Zaldy Co will eventually be arrested, even as legal hurdles remain due to his current location abroad.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed confidence that former lawmaker Zaldy Co will eventually be arrested, even as legal hurdles remain due to his current location abroad.