Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is prepared to hear any testimony from former lawmaker Zaldy Co once he is in the country, Malacañang said Friday, April 17, as authorities move to bring the fugitive back to face corruption charges.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the president remains open to whatever Co may disclose, highlighting that the administration itself initiated the investigation on anomalies in flood control projects.

“Ang pangulo ay handang makinig sa lahat ng maaaring sabihin ng mga taong involved at dapat na managot sa batas,” Castro said.

[Translation: The president is ready to listen to whatever those involved may say and those who should be held accountable under the law.]

Castro turned the issue back on Co, saying the key question is whether the former lawmaker is willing to tell the truth.

“Ang dapat na tanong diyan ay kung handa ba si Zaldy Co na magsabi ng katotohanan kung sino ba iyong kaniyang mga nakasama,” she added.

[Translation: The real question is whether Zaldy Co is ready to tell the truth and who his accomplices were.]

The Palace reiterated that Marcos himself ordered the probe on alleged corruption in flood control projects, while touting his administration’s stance on accountability.

Co previously named Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as masterminds in the corruption scandal.

Marcos confirmed Co’s arrest in Prague, Czech Republic, after months of evading authorities.

The president said Co was stopped at the German border and returned to Czech custody, where he remains detained.

The government is now coordinating with Czech authorities for his possible return.

Castro said Co’s arrest shows that the administration remains firm in its campaign against corruption.

“Ang utos ng pangulo ay nananatili – managot ang dapat na managot,” she said.

[Translation: The president’s directive stands — those who must be held accountable should be held accountable.]