Philippines Explores Ways to Bring Back Zaldy Co from Portugal

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a review of all possible options to secure the return of former House lawmaker Zaldy Co to the Philippines, including special repatriation and the potential pursuit of an extradition agreement with Portugal.

Co, who has resigned from the House of Representatives, has been tagged as one of the alleged masterminds behind a large-scale corruption scheme at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He was last reported to be in Portugal, a country that currently has no extradition treaty with the Philippines. An extradition treaty is a formal agreement between states allowing the surrender of individuals accused of crimes to their home country for trial.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, January 13, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla reiterated earlier findings by local authorities that Co may be holding a Portuguese passport.

“Nagbigay na ng instructions ang president na formally mag-apply na kami ng extradition treaty sa kanila kahiit wala pang formal extradition treaty between the two countries. But through Interpol (International Police), mag request na kami ng repatriation ni Zaldy Co kung nasa Portugal talaga siya,” Remulla said.

Remulla noted that, to his knowledge, this would be the first time the Philippines would attempt to seek extradition from a country with which it does not have an existing treaty.

He later clarified, however, that extradition may not be the most viable option, citing the lengthy process involved.

Extraditing Co without a treaty is "almost impossible," he said, adding that it is only one of several options being considered.

"Let me clarify. The president instructed [us] to study the possibility of applying for extradition of Zaldy Co with Portugal," Remulla said.

Other possible channels being explored for Co’s return include coordination with the United Nations, Interpol, and other international mechanisms. Co reportedly left the country before the alleged flood control scandal surfaced, which involves suspicions that billions of pesos were funneled through bogus flood control and infrastructure projects, with lawmakers and government officials allegedly pocketing large sums of money.