Image @ BBC
A major suspect linked to a high-profile corruption scandal that has incited widespread outrage in the Philippines has been apprehended in the Czech Republic, according to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Zaldy Co, a former member of the Philippine legislature, was detained by local authorities in Prague after entering the country “without proper documentation,” the President confirmed yesterday.
The scandal erupted last year following severe flooding that disrupted daily life across the nation, leading to accusations that billions of dollars earmarked for flood-control initiatives were misappropriated due to corruption. Marcos has prioritized holding corrupt officials accountable, as recent opinion polls indicate that the scandal has negatively impacted his approval ratings.
Co has been implicated in allegations of receiving kickbacks from these projects. He served in the House of Representatives from 2019 until his resignation in September 2025. Reports suggest he has been outside the Philippines since July 2025. Last year, the Philippine government revoked Co’s passport and sought assistance from Interpol to locate him.
Investigations revealed that years of fraudulent flood control projects have cost the economy nearly $2 billion (£1.5 billion).
Public discontent over corruption led to a series of protests in Manila last year, with additional anger directed at so-called “nepo babies”, children of alleged corrupt officials who showcase their extravagant lifestyles on social media.
It remains uncertain whether Philippine authorities will successfully extradite Co, as there is no extradition treaty with the Czech Republic. Marcos stated yesterday that officials are “in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure all legal procedures are adhered to and to facilitate his swift return to the Philippines.” Interior Secretary,Jonvic Remulla, mentioned in a radio interview this morning that Co could be back within one to three weeks.
Other individuals implicated in the scandal include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who denies any wrongdoing, and a lawmaker who was removed as Senate President after revelations surfaced regarding a contractor’s financial contribution to his election campaign prior to securing a government contract.
The Philippines experiences an average of 20 storms and typhoons annually. In November 2025, Typhoon Kalmaegi resulted in at least 85 fatalities as it inundated entire towns on the central island of Cebu.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong