MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday confirmed that fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co has been arrested and detained in Prague, ending months-long efforts to locate the ex-lawmaker linked to the multibillion-peso flood control project controversy.
The Inquirer first broke the story, citing initial information from unimpeachable sources with direct knowledge of the case, that Co had been apprehended abroad while he was trying to enter the country without proper documents.
- Malacañang said the Philippine government is in close coordination with Czech authorities to ensure all legal processes are followed.
- Marcos said efforts are underway to arrange Co’s possible return to the Philippines “at the soonest possible time.”
- The government will provide updates as developments unfold, including possible extradition proceedings and legal actions.
Garbin seeks security for Zaldy Co’s return to Philippines
April 18 , 2026 – 02:11 PM
NAGA CITY — A lawmaker on Friday (April 17) urged the government to ensure the safety of former representative and businessman Zaldy Co upon his return to the Philippines, saying his testimony could shed light on the alleged irregularities in flood control projects
Remulla: Zaldy Co deportation to PH might take up to 3 weeks
April 18 , 2026 – 05:34 AM
It may take up to three weeks before Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co can be flown back to the Philippines, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday.
Timeline: Zaldy Co case (What went before)
April 17 , 2026 – 03:35 PM
Here is the timeline of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s case, before and after his arrest in Czech Republic.
Palace welcomes Zaldy Co’s arrest amid flood control probe
April 17 , 2026 – 03:10 PM
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the arrest of ex-Rep. Zaldy Co is a sign of sustaine drive vs flood control culprits.
Henry Alcantara: Biggest delivery to Zaldy Co’s staff amounts to P800M
April 17 , 2026 – 02:56 PM
Henry Alcantara, a state witness from DPWH, said the largest amount he delivered to the staff of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co was P800 million.
Zaldy Co arrest shows PH gov’t will catch law evaders — Dy
April 17 , 2026 – 01:55 PM
Zaldy Co’s arrest is proof that the Philippines government will eventually catch up with those who evade the law, Speaker Bojie Dy said on Friday.
With Zaldy Co’s arrest, Leila de Lima calls for simultaneous probes
April 17 , 2026 – 10:05 AM
Zaldy Co said Pangandaman instructed him to include P100 billion in insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB)
Zaldy Co to return home in 1-3 weeks, says DILG chief
April 17 , 2026 – 08:05 AM
Co, former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, which oversees the national budget, left the country after being implicated…
Castro says passport cancellation key to Zaldy Co arrest
April 17 , 2026 – 09:14 AM
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a radio interview on Friday that Zaldy Co may be back in the Philippines
Marcos: Zaldy Co stopped at German border, returned to Czech Republic
April 17 , 2026 – 09:12 AM
“The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic.
April 17 , 2026 09:03 AM
READ: PBBM update on the arrest of Zaldy Co. | @luisacabatoINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 17, 2026
Zaldy Co to return home in 1-3 weeks, says DILG chief
April 17 , 2026 – 08:05 AM
Co, former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, which oversees the national budget, left the country after being implicated…
PH gov’t agencies: No info yet on Zaldy Co arrest in Prague
April 16 , 2026 – 09:39 PM
Three government agencies said that they have yet to obtain any information about the supposed arrest of resigned Rep. Zaldy Co in Prague.
Garbin sees Co making a tell-all testimony, hopes admin won’t interfere
April 17 , 2026 – 12:05 AM
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. expects his former party co-nominee, Elizaldy Co, to tell everything he knows.
Lacson: Blue ribbon panel to invite Co at ‘first opportunity’
April 16 , 2026 – 10:59 PM
Following the arrest of former representative Elizalde “Zaldy” Co, Sen. Ping Lacson said Co will be invited to a senate panel hearing.
Ridon expects Co to shed more details on the flood control mess
April 16 , 2026 – 10:41 PM
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon expects the arrest of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic.
PNP offers aid for possible repatriation of Co after Prague detention
April 16 , 2026 – 11:15 PM
The PNP offered to provide assistance in possibly coordinating the return of fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to the Philippines.
Zaldy Co caught in Prague, Marcos announces
April 16 , 2026 – 08:23 PM
Authorities are verifying if fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has been arrested in Prague.
The congressman and the billions: Tracing the power of Zaldy Co
September 18 , 2025 – 01:12 PM
In the aftermath of a typhoon, when floodwaters swallowed barangays and roads turned into rivers, one name kept surfacing — not just in congressional hearings, but in construction sites, budget files, and social media fury: party list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co (Ako Bicol).
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