Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769482925291photo-collage.png_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Zaldy Co and DILG chief Jonvic Remulla. House Press and Public Affairs Bureau handout/Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said that if he were to decide, former congressman Zaldy Co should first return $1 billion or P59 billion before the government should consider negotiating with him.</p><p>Co, a key figure in the flood control corruption controversy, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/21/zaldy-co-sent-feelers-to-priests-wants-dialogue-with-ph-authorities-dilg-chief-1245">has sent &quot;feelers&quot;</a> or intention for a potential dialogue with Philippine authorities, Remulla told ANC.</p><p>&quot;Parang pinaparating niya na parang &#x27;yung buhay niya ay hindi akalain magiging ganito kaya parang naghahanap siya ng paraan para maiayos lahat,&quot; the official said.</p><p>Asked if the government is willing to negotiate with Co — who allegedly received billions of pesos in kickbacks — Remulla said, &quot;That is up to the Ombudsman to answer. But if it were me, I would. Return $1 billion, saka tayo mag-usap. Then you&#x27;ll have an availability of a plea bargain.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/zaldy-co-holed-up-in-lisbon-community-bantag-still-hiding-in-cordillera-2023">Zaldy Co holed up in Lisbon community<br/></a></div><p>Remulla is brother of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin &quot;Boying&quot; Remulla.</p><p>&quot;Kasi in the end, pera naman ang kinuha niya. Kung sinoli niya &#x27;yung pera, wala naman siyang pinatay. Pero $1 billion soli mo sa amin,&quot; he added.</p><p>The government has insisted that it can compel flood control personalities to return money or assets they allegedly obtained illegally through the scheme even before a trial begins, especially when being considered as government state witness in cases.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/28/ex-dpwh-engineer-henry-alcantara-turns-over-p110-million-to-gov-t-1415">Ex-DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara turns over P110 million to gov’t</a></div><p>The Palace last week said the government was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/palace-on-zaldy-co-s-alleged-feelers-for-dialogue-it-s-up-to-ombudsman-1533">backing a potential dialogue between Co and the Ombudsman</a> if it would help uncover the truth on the flood control mess.</p><p>Co was former chair of the powerful House appropriations panel and was accused of inserting billions of pesos in infrastructure funds, which he denied.</p><p>Co also has a warrant of arrest over a case related to the construction of an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.</p><p>Remulla said Co is now a fugitive believed to be Portugal and that the former lawmaker possessed a Portuguese passport aside from a &quot;golden visa.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/12/philippines-requests-interpol-red-notice-vs-zaldy-co-1010">Philippines requests Interpol red notice vs Zaldy Co</a></div><p>While the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Portugal, Remulla said the government will do whatever it can to bring Co back to the country.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/19/senate-issues-show-cause-vs-zaldy-co-aide-for-failing-to-attend-hearing-1339">Senate issues show-cause order vs Zaldy Co, Orly Guteza for failing to attend hearing</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CEYIbeswY5w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that if he were to decide, former congressman Zaldy Co should first return $1 billion or P59 billion before the government should consider negotiating with him.</p>

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that if he were to decide, former congressman Zaldy Co should first return $1 billion or P59 billion before the government should consider negotiating with him.

Jonvic Remulla to Zaldy Co: Return $1 billion first before we can talk

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Jonvic Remulla to Zaldy Co: Return $1 billion first before we can talk

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 27, 2026 11:03 AM PHT

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Updated January 27, 2026 11:10 AM PHT

Read More:

Jonvic Remulla

Zaldy Co

Flood Control

Flood Control Scandal

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