In the early months of 2026, it seemed that everyone had forgotten about the flood control corruption scandal, after it gripped the nation in the second half of 2025. But on Thursday, April 16, fugitive ex-congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co was finally found and nabbed in Prague, Czech Republic. The arrest coincides with new progress on the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial flood control report, which Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson says only needs three more signatures before being submitted to the plenary.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took to social media late Thursday evening to announce the arrest of the former House appropriations chair, who is accused of making budget insertions related to flood control projects.
“Nahuli na si Zaldy Co,” Marcos said. “He is now detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation and is currently in the custody of Czech authorities. 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 later on added that Co had attempted to enter Germany through the Czech Republic, but was stopped and returned to Czech authorities.
On Friday, April 17, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the Department of Foreign Affairs is working to expedite Co’s extradition, and estimated that the ex-lawmaker would be brought back to the Philippines in one to three weeks. According to Remulla, Co’s Philippine passport was canceled, while his Portuguese passport was not in his possession, leading to his arrest.
Co left the Philippines in July 2025, supposedly to seek medical treatment in the U.S., but has not returned since. In September 2025, amid investigations into anomalous infrastructure projects across the country, Co resigned from the House of Representatives. In November 2025, he accused Marcos of ordering P100 billion in budget insertions.
Senate Flood Control Report Nears Completion
Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report is only in need of three signatures before it is submitted to the plenary for deliberation, amendments, and adoption, Lacson said on Thursday. “At least two other [Blue Ribbon Committee members] have indicated their willingness to sign it,” he said.
So far, six senators have signed the report: Senators Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Erwin Tulfo, Tito Sotto, and Lacson. Sotto is not a member of the committee, but has the power to sign the report as the Senate president.
On Wednesday, April 15, Lacson suspended all Blue Ribbon Committee hearings and emphasized that the report had to be signed before lawmakers could seek out more hearings on the anomalous infrastructure projects. “Kung hearing tayo nang hearing at wala tayong logical conclusion na magkakaroon ng committee report na pagdedebatehan at aamyendahan at ia-adopt sa floor, naka-open-ended lahat ng ginagawa natin,” he said.
He added, “I do not expect any member of the minority to sign. They can offer all kinds of reasons all they want.”
Other members of the committee from the majority are Senators JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Win Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, and Mark Villar. The minority members are Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla.
The report contains the committee’s findings and recommended legislative action, as its inquiries into the flood control issue were in aid of legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co was arrested in Prague after entering the Czech Republic without valid documentation following the cancellation of his Philippine passport. Co fled the Philippines in July 2025 amid growing investigations into his involvement in multibillion-peso flood control corruption schemes.
As former chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Zaldy Co was accused of masterminding illicit budget insertions for substandard and non-existent flood control projects. He faces graft and malversation charges involving government infrastructure contracts linked to his family-owned enterprise.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report is nearing plenary submission, requiring signatures from committee members to initiate floor debates and formal adoption. Committee leadership suspended further public hearings until this foundational legislative report reaches a definitive vote.
Prior to his arrest, Zaldy Co released public statements accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of directing ₱100 billion in budget insertions into national infrastructure funds. Malacañang denied the allegations, characterizing the claims as unsubstantiated statements designed to evade prosecution.
Philippine executive departments are coordinating with Czech authorities to expedite extradition and deportation proceedings for Zaldy Co. Officials estimate his return to Manila will take between one to three weeks following standard diplomatic and legal protocols.
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