Czech and French diplomats withheld further information from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about flood control scam suspect Zaldy Co during a meeting last Wednesday. Malacañang said the envoys cited asylum laws and international regulations. Marcos expressed dismay over Co's release from Czech custody.
On April 29, President Marcos met with Czech Republic Chargé d’Affaires Eva Tenzin and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel at Malacañang to seek information on Zaldy Co, facing arrest warrants for malversation of public funds and graft over a questionable road dike project.
Tenzin confirmed Co was detained in Prague due to invalid travel documents, according to Palace Undersecretary Claire Castro. The diplomats provided no further details, citing international law, European and national laws, and asylum-related regulations. “Pero hindi na po napagbigyan ang Pangulo dahil sa may sinusunod ang Czech Republic na international law, European and national laws,” Castro said.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, who traveled to the Czech Republic to process Co’s return, also received no additional information. Castro disclosed Co’s political asylum application in France but said the Philippine government would not ask French authorities to deny it. “The French ambassador said she understands... but she could not provide information as long as she is (not) authorized,” she added.
Marcos described the outcome as “very unsatisfactory,” especially amid Philippines-Czech coordination. He assured the use of all legal and diplomatic means to bring Co back to face graft and malversation cases. Co left the Philippines in mid-2025 and has resigned from Congress.
