Following DOJ’s Remarks, Malacañang Asserts Marcos Jr. Didn’t Say Zaldy Co’s Arrested
Malacañang defended President Bongbong Marcos amid the accusations of allegedly spreading fake news over Zaldy Co’s “arrest”.
The Filipino people remains calling for accountability over the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippine government. Several government officials including many members of the House of Representatives and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were tagged in the issue.
The flood control scam brought thousands of Filipinos in the streets twice to protest against massive corruption in the government. It led to the conduct of the “Trillion Peso March” which was held twice in 2025.
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos announced that Zaldy Co, one of the supposed main role players in the flood control mess, was detained by the Czech authorities in Prague. However, the said announcement was followed by different speculations and questions.
There are questions on the lack of report or statement from the Czech authorities over the reported arrest of the former Congressman. Amid the questions and speculations, Pres. Bongbong Marcos vowed that they will bring back Zaldy Co to the Philippines.
“We will bring Zaldy Co home and we will do so in accordance with the law. He will answer to the Filipino people,” Marcos Jr. said.
Marcos Jr. claimed that he already ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lead the communication with the Czech authorities. He wants to follow the legal process in taking the custody of Co.
However, recently, DOJ clarified that Zaldy Co was “not technically arrested” in Czech Republic. According to Justice spokesman Polo Martinez, what happened was like the situation that occurs in airports.
“For analogy, it’s similar to a situation in the airport where the person arrives and immigration denies entry or excludes the person. Technically, not arrested but there is a deprivation of liberty to a certain degree,” the DOJ Spokesperson said.
Following the remarks of the DOJ, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro defended Pres. Bongbong Marcos. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, she stressed that Marcos Jr. did not say that Zaldy Co was arrested.
“Maliwanag ang sinabi ng Pangulo at ni SOJ Vida. Walang anumang contradiction. Hindi nanggaling sa Pangulo ang salitang ‘aresto.’ Ang sabi ng Pangulo ay nasa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Zaldy Co dahil sa kakulangan sa proper documentation. Nahuli si Zaldy Co due to immigration concerns,” the Malacañang press official said.
The Malacañang Usec. has repeatedly stressed that Marcos Jr. was the one who initiated the investigation on the flood control mess. The Ombudsman revealed that they denied the request of former Speaker Martin Romualdez to be allowed to fly to Singapore following the arrest of Zaldy Co.