Philippines corruption scandal suspect Zaldy Co arrested in Prague, Marcos says

Efforts are under way to repatriate the ex-lawmaker, who is accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood-control projects

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Fugitive Philippine lawmaker Zaldy Co (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photos: AFP

Published: 1:37am, 17 Apr 2026Updated: 2:15am, 17 Apr 2026

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on Thursday night that a key suspect in a corruption scandal that has sparked public outrage in the Philippines has been arrested in the Czech Republic and that efforts were under way to repatriate the former lawmaker.

Zaldy Co, who resigned from the House of Representatives in September after being implicated in financial anomalies involving flood control projects, was detained by authorities in Prague after crossing into the Central European country without proper documentation, Marcos said without elaborating.

“We are in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” Marcos said in a statement.

The Philippines has no extradition treaty with the Czech Republic and Marcos did not say how his government would seek the custody of Co. Philippine officials have cancelled Co’s passport and sought Interpol’s help to locate and arrest the wealthy former legislator.

Co is one of several powerful legislators, including former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate president Francis Escudero, who were accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood control projects in an Asian archipelago prone to deadly flooding and typhoons.

Members of the religious sect Church of Christ take part in an anti-corruption rally at Manila’s Rizal Park in November 2025. Photo: AP

Co, Romualdez, Escudero and other legislators have denied any wrongdoing but have come under investigation.

Philippines corruption scandal suspect Zaldy Co arrested in Prague, Marcos says

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Efforts are under way to repatriate the ex-lawmaker, who is accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood-control projects

Efforts are under way to repatriate the ex-lawmaker, who is accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood-control projects