Marcos Administration Seeks Global Cooperation to Apprehend Fugitive Former Lawmaker Zaldy Co

In a strong display of commitment to accountability, the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is aggressively pushing for international cooperation to capture fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, implicated in the ₱289-million flood control anomaly case.

This move aligns closely with PBBM’s flagship anti-corruption campaign known as "Maasahan at Masipag," which underscores the government’s zero tolerance for corruption and insistence on accountability "beyond borders."

Key legal instruments are underpinning this effort. The Philippines is leveraging provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to which it is a signatory. UNCAC offers a legal framework for international cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and the extradition of corrupt persons across borders.

Complementing this is the issuance of arrest warrants by the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court tasked with trying corruption cases involving public officials. Co’s warrant ensures that Philippine authorities have a legal basis for his detention once located, inside or outside the country.

The administration is also eyeing the mechanisms of Interpol, the international policing body, to issue a Red Notice. Such a notice serves as a global alert for law enforcement agencies worldwide to seek and provisionally arrest fugitives pending extradition.

A Palace spokesperson emphasized the administration’s position: "Under President Marcos Jr., the Philippines has become a reliable enforcer of accountability. We want to send a clear message that corruption has no hiding place, not even beyond our borders. Responsible governance demands we pursue justice relentlessly, wherever the suspects may flee."

The ₱289-million flood control anomaly case centers on alleged irregularities in flood mitigation projects, damaging the government coffers and public trust. The administration’s adherence to the "Maasahan at Masipag" credo—"Reliable justice. Tireless pursuit. Corruption has no hiding place"—reflects a renewed vigor against graft and underscores a broader strategy to restore integrity in public service.

Experts note that this international cooperation push could serve as a precedent for similar cases involving fugitives from Philippine justice, marking a tough stance on corruption that transcends geography.

As the Marcos administration intensifies diplomatic and legal efforts to ensure Co faces the full extent of Philippine law, the message is unequivocal: justice will be pursued relentlessly and corruption will not be tolerated in any form.