Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida flew to the Czech Republic on April 23, 2026, to facilitate the return of former Ako Bicol lawmaker Zaldy Co, detained at the Czech-German border over incomplete documents and wanted in the Revilla Pandi Flood Control Malversation Case. Lacking an extradition treaty, officials are using the UN Convention Against Corruption amid early-stage proceedings.
In a key escalation to repatriate Zaldy Co—who has been in hiding since mid-2025 facing a November 2025 warrant for a P289.5-million graft case in Oriental Mindoro—Vida cited Article 44 (extradition for corruption) and Article 46 (mutual legal assistance, including asset recovery) of the UN Convention Against Corruption.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated commitment: "We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people."
Co remains in Czech police custody after possible use of an invalid European passport; the case has not reached Prague courts. Czech Justice Ministry's Marketa Androva confirmed no formal information received.
Deportation for immigration violations offers a faster route, per international law expert Rodel Taton, akin to former Rep. Arnolfo Teves' deportation from Timor-Leste in May 2025 after Justice Secretary Remulla's intervention. Czech Interior Ministry's Hana Malá declined comment on April 17, with no imminent handover indicated.
This follows PNP announcements on post-arrival protocols: handover from DFA to CIDG for processing, then to Sandiganbayan.
