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Claire Castro and Zaldy Co. Photos by Revoli Cortez, PPA pool/File and screengrab from a video released by Co 

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Claire Castro and Zaldy Co.

Harlene Delgado

Vivienne Gulla

Zyann Ambrosio

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/1776406868809composites 2 (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Claire Castro and Zaldy Co. <em>Photos by Revoli Cortez, PPA pool/File and screengrab from a video released by Co </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Malacañang on Friday cited the arrest of resigned congressman Zaldy Co to push back against criticisms that the flood control controversy has been forgotten. </p><p>“Nais lang po nating ipaalala sa mga nagsasabing kinalimutan na ang flood control scandal, hindi po iyan totoo. Ang pagkilos ng gobyerno, ang utos ng Pangulo ay nananatili – managot ang dapat na managot,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Iloilo.</p><p>She said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was &quot;definitely&quot; happy with Co’s arrest. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/17/zaldy-co-s-complacent-europe-trip-led-to-his-arrest-remulla-1154">Zaldy Co&#x27;s &#x27;complacent&#x27; Europe trip led to his arrest—Remulla</a></div><p>“Dahil sabi nga po natin ang utos po niya, managot ang dapat na managot. Kung ang isang tao po ay may warrant of arrest, fugitive, cancelled ang passport – sino po ang hindi matutuwa na ang isang taong fugitive ay maibabalik sa Pilipinas para managot,” she said.</p><p>But when asked how Marcos was preparing once Co gives a &quot;tell-all&quot; on the flood control anomalies, Castro said, “Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan. Kung handa ba siya na sabihin kung sino. Hindi natin sinasabing siya ay guilty – kung sino ba iyong kaniyang mga nakasama.”</p><p>“Ang Pangulo, uulitin po natin, ang siyang nagsimulang magpaimbestiga ng maanomalyang flood control projects. Siya ang naunang magpaimbestiga ng diumanong korupsiyon. Ang Pangulo ay handang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved at dapat na managot sa batas,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/17/zaldy-co-may-be-back-in-ph-in-1-3-weeks-remulla-0723">Zaldy Co back in PH in &#x27;1-3 weeks&#x27;: Remulla</a></div><p>Co previously released a series of videos implicating Marcos in the nationwide corruption scheme, but the President and the Malacañang denied the allegations.</p><p>In an interview, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/17/co-to-be-summoned-to-blue-ribbon-s-flood-control-probe-at-first-opportunity-lacson-1248">Senate Blue Ribbon Committee</a> chairman Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the panel would reopen its inquiry into the flood control scandal and summon Co once he is deported back to the Philippines.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘STEP FORWARD FOR JUSTICE’</strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Meanwhile, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Co’s arrest was “an important step forward for justice and the rule of law.” </p><p>“It sends a clear message that those who attempt to evade the law will be held to account,” Dy said in a statement.</p><p>“Malinaw na mula pa sa kanyang SONA, sinabi na ng Pangulo na walang puwang ang katiwalian sa kanyang pamumuno. That accountability must apply to everyone, especially those entrusted with public funds,” he added.</p><p>Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said he expects Co, his former colleague, to “tell all”.</p><p>“Marami pa siyang hindi nasasabi. In due time and affording him due process under our law, then lahat masisiwalat niya,” Garbin said.</p><p>The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it was awaiting formal directives from lead agencies, particularly the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), following Co’s arrest. </p><p>“We have not yet received any tasking, except for requests to validate any pending cases. The NBI maintains the records, and these will be forwarded to the Department of Justice,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said. </p><p>“Whatever tasking is given by the DOJ or higher authorities, the NBI will always be ready to respond to the call of duty.”</p><p>He added that such cross-border procedures are typically handled by the NBI’s International Operations Division (IOD), which specializes in overseas coordination and retrieval operations.  “Our International Operations Division is the unit that handles these types of procedures,”  said Matibag.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </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/zQH1EqDP9Cc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/QAyyBsNWOp0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/KRCRY1pTZic?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Malacañang on Friday pushed back against criticisms that the flood control controversy has been forgotten, citing the arrest of resigned congressman Zaldy Co, a central figure in the flood control controversy.</p>

Malacañang on Friday pushed back against criticisms that the flood control controversy has been forgotten, citing the arrest of resigned congressman Zaldy Co, a central figure in the flood control controversy.

Palace tells critics: Flood control scandal forgotten? Not true with Zaldy Co's arrest

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Palace tells critics: Flood control scandal forgotten? Not true with Zaldy Co's arrest

Harlene Delgado,

Vivienne Gulla,

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 17, 2026 02:27 PM PHT

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Updated April 17, 2026 04:05 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Zaldy Co

Claire Castro

Flood Control Scandal

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