Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of lawmakers criticized the executive branch for what they call a failure to act swiftly in securing the return of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co while still under Czech custody.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced Co’s apprehension on April 16. Co fled the country last year amid allegations that he masterminded the flood control corruption scandal. He has since issued statements and online videos denying the accusations.
In a late night briefing on Monday, April 27, the Department of Justice confirmed that Co was no longer under the custody of Czech authorities.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, April 28, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the executive failed to act with urgency despite timely information on Co’s apprehension by Czech authorities, adding that it “now puts the government in an embarrassing situation.”
“Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself,” Lacson said.
“Government must now exert extra effort and work double time to bring him back not only to redeem itself from this lapse but to show its sincerity and seriousness in bringing Co and his co-conspirators to justice,” he added.
In a separate interview with reporters, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he understands the executive had to consider international and Czech laws. Still, he described the alleged failure to cancel all three of Co’s passports as a “lapse” on the part of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Nakakahinayang, sobrang nakakahinayang dahil unang-una gusto natin makamit ng hustisya, pangalawa may warrant to arrest na siya, at pangatlo kung magco-cooperate siya, meron pa siyang information na iba, makakatulong sa flood control scandal,” Gatchalian said.
[Translation: It is regrettable, very regrettable, because first, we want justice to be served; second, there is already a warrant of arrest; and third, if he cooperates, he may provide information that could help in the flood control scandal.]
He called it a “temporary setback,” adding that the government could still secure Co’s return by ensuring all his passports are cancelled and by working with Interpol for his arrest.
In response, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that it had already cancelled Co’s regular and diplomatic passports and immediately reported this to Interpol.
“With regard to his other regular passport which expired in September 2022 and which may have been used by Mr. Co to cross to Germany from the Czech Republic, this need not be cancelled since its expiration rendered it unusable for international travel,” the DFA said.
House lawmakers also expressed their frustration.
“At dagdag pang nakakadismaya: Hindi makapagbigay ang gobyerno ng malinaw na sagot sa kung ano ang talagang nangyari at kung paano matitiyak ang pag-aresto kay Zaldy Co,” Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said.
“Dahil lang ba sa confidentiality ng mga impormasyon, o sadyang may ayaw lang sagutin? Kung ganito ang mangyayari, lalong magdududa ang marami sa kakayahan at sinseridad ng gobyerno na hulihin ang mga pugante sa ating batas,” she said.
[Translation: It is also deeply disappointing that the government cannot provide clear answers on what really happened and how it intends to ensure the arrest of Zaldy Co. Is it due to confidentiality of information, or is there simply a refusal to answer? If this continues, public trust in the government’s capability and sincerity in going after fugitives will further erode.]
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno called it “isang malaking kapalpakan [a major blunder].”
“The government must explain what happened. They must also assure the Filipino people that they are doing everything possible to find Zaldy Co and bring him back to face accountability,” he said.
