Manila: The government remains hopeful that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co will soon be returned to the Philippines, Malaca±ang said Monday. 'Lahat tayo dapat hopeful. Ang gusto natin ay maiuwi dito si Zaldy Co at iyon ang nais ng Pangulo (We should all be hopeful. We want to bring Zaldy Co back to the country and that's what the president wants),' Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a media briefing.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro mentioned that the administration continues to coordinate with Czech authorities to facilitate Co's return, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Palace also reiterated that there is no contradiction between the President's earlier statements and those of the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding Co's status.

Castro emphasized that the President did not use the term 'arrest,' noting that Co was described as apprehended due to immigration concerns after failing to present proper travel documents. She added that Co's liberty was nonetheless restrained, placing him under the custody of immigration authorities abroad.

The Palace also rejected claims that the President's earlier announcement was premature, saying the information released at the time was accurate and based on verified developments. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida is currently in Prague to lead Philippine coordination with Czech authorities.

Authorities are continuing to gather more details on Co's exact whereabouts, with the DOJ leading coordination efforts with foreign counterparts. Co left the Philippines in mid-2025 for a medical check-up but did not return after the government launched a crackdown on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

His passport was later canceled, and his travel authority revoked after he was implicated in budget insertions and irregularities in flood control projects. He eventually resigned as representative of the Ako Bicol party-list.