Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected claims that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a premature announcement on the status of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, insisting there was “nothing to correct” in his statement.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president’s April 16 remark that “nahuli na si Zaldy Co” [Co has been caught] was accurate and did not equate to an arrest, clarifying that the term used was general and consistent with available information at the time.
“Kapag sinabi nating nahuli na si Zaldy Co, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an arrest. Ang ‘nahuli’ na salita ay very general; pwede nating sabihin na napahinto, na-stop, na-prevent sa pagkilos, at hindi mali ang Pangulo sa kanyang inulat noong April 16,” Castro said.
[Translation: When we say Zaldy Co has been caught, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an arrest. The term “caught” is very general; we can say he was stopped, halted, or prevented from moving, and the President was not wrong in his report on April 16.]
She said the president never used the term “arrest,” and that subsequent clarifications were made only to align with the terminology used by Czech authorities.
“Hindi po nanggaling sa pangulo mismo ang salitang ‘aresto’… kaya walang iko-correct ang Pangulo sa kanyang mensahe,” Castro added.
[Translation: The word “arrest” did not come from the president himself so there is nothing for the president to correct in his statement.]
‘Nothing premature’
Castro pushed back against suggestions that the announcement raised false expectations, saying all elements of the president’s statement were based on verified reports.
“Totoo naman… nasa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Zaldy Co, nakikipag-coordinate tayo, so anong premature doon? Walang premature doon,” she said.
[Translation: It’s true, Zaldy Co was in the custody of the Czech Republic, we are coordinating, so what is premature about that? There is nothing premature about it.]
She said informing the public of developments is part of transparency.
“Kapag nalaman namin at hindi namin inanunsiyo, sasabihin ninyo naman sa amin, ‘Bakit hindi inanunsiyo?’” she said.
[Translation: If we found out and did not announce it, you would also ask us, ‘Why didn’t you announce it?’]
The Palace also maintained that the president acted on official information indicating that Co had been stopped due to documentation issues.
“Binigyan siya ng official report na hold po si Zaldy Co dahil sa lacking of proper documentation, so minabuti niya pong ito na i-announce,” Castro said.
[Translation: He was given an official report that Zaldy Co was held due to lack of proper documentation, so he decided to announce it.]
Castro said authorities are still verifying Co’s current status and whereabouts, deferring further details to Justice Secretary Frederick Vida.
Malacañang said the government remains focused on bringing Co back to the country.
