Zaldy Co Seeking Political Asylum In France – Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – Former lawmaker Zaldy Co is now under the jurisdiction of authorities of France where he is reportedly seeking political asylum, Malacañang said on Tuesday, April 28, citing information from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“The DFA has received highly reliable information that Zaldy Co has a pending application for political asylum in France. He has been requested to be transferred to and is now under the jurisdiction of the French authorities,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

“All missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain further official confirmation,” Castro added.

Asked to clarify what she meant by “jurisdiction of French authorities,” Castro said that Co is now in France, following his application for political asylum. She also said that Co is claiming “political persecution” as basis for his application.

Responding to questions, Castro said that according to Foreign Secretary Tess Lazaro, Co is free to move within the Schengen area pending his political asylum application.

Co, former Ako Bicol representative, was once chairman of the House’s powerful appropriations committee and whose business empire has been linked to allegedly anomalous government infrastructure projects. He tops the list of people Malacañang has been trying to track down in relation to the flood control corruption scandal.

Co left the country in July 2025, supposedly for a medical checkup in the United States, but has not returned to the country since then. While abroad, he posted a series of videos claiming that he was being used as a scapegoat for the floor control mess, and accused the President himself of involvement in corruption.

Marcos to meet France, Czech Republic envoys

Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has summoned the envoys of France and the Czech Republic for a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, April 29, “to discuss ano ang pagkukulang, ano ang dapat ginawa, at ano ang maaari pang gawin para maibalik si Zaldy Co sa ating bansa (what is lacking, what should have been done, and what else could be done to bring Zaldy Co back to our country).”

Castro said that the Philippine government “will work with foreign governments through every legal channel available under international laws to  bring Zaldy Co home and face the graft and malversation cases filed against him.”

“Gagawin natin ang lahat nang naayon sa batas at sa diplomatikong proseso (We will do all of this following the the law and the diplomatic process),” she added.

Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Monday, April 27, that Co was no longer under Czech custody, and that he was in the Schengen area. The area includes France.

Marcos first announced on April 16 that Co had been detained in the Czech Republic, and that the Philippines would closely coordinate with the Czech government “to arrange for his return…at the soonest possible time.” A day later, he clarified that Co was caught trying to enter Germany then was sent back to Prague.

Castro clarified on Tuesday that when Co was held in the Czech Republic, it was due to invalid documentation and not because he violated any laws in that country. – Rappler.com