Zaldy Co to be turned over to CIDG, then Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines, April 21 ------ Former lawmaker Zaldy Co will first be turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) before being handed over to the Sandiganbayan.

At a press briefing on Monday, April 20, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Randulf Tuaño said Co may be turned over by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the CIDG upon his arrival in the Philippines. "Handang-handa na po ang Philippine National Police sa pagdating niya sa Pilipinas," Tuaño said.

He will then undergo medical and booking procedures, according to Tuaño. Afterward, he will be turned over to the anti-graft court to determine the detention facility where he will be held. However, there is still no exact date for Co's return, the PNP spokesperson said.

In a video message on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Co remains in the custody of authorities in the Czech Republic. "Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Czech Republic upang matiyak na maayos at naaayon na proseso ang lahat ng kinakailangan," Marcos said.

On April 16, Marcos said Co, who had been in hiding since mid-2025, was detained in Prague after crossing into the Czech Republic without proper documentation. In November 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against Co over a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, specifically the construction of a road dike along the Mag-asawang Tubig River. A month later, the anti-graft court canceled his passport and declared him a fugitive.

Source: philstar.com