Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said information that former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co is in Paris came from a “highly regarded diplomatic source,” as the Philippine Embassy in France continues to closely monitor the situation.
Speaking at an open forum organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club, Lazaro said the source could not be disclosed due to confidentiality but assured that embassy officials are actively verifying Co’s whereabouts.
Malacañang earlier said Co is reportedly seeking asylum in France. Arrest warrants have been issued against him and 17 others over alleged anomalous flood control projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed corruption and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with a supposed P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Co has denied the allegations.
Lazaro noted that asylum applications in France are governed by European Union regulations and are handled by the Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides (OFPRA), with procedures involving registration, evaluation, and possible appeals.
Despite the sensitivity of asylum cases, Lazaro assured that the Philippine government is exhausting all legal avenues to facilitate Co’s return to the country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cancelled Co’s diplomatic passport in December 2025 following a Sandiganbayan order, while his regular passport expired in 2022. The DFA reported both to Interpol.
Lazaro added that Co was believed to have used an expired Philippine passport when he was recently intercepted in the Czech Republic while attempting to cross into Germany.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seeking clarification on why France requested Co’s release from Czech custody.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the issue was raised during the President’s meeting with French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, although no detailed explanation was provided.
Castro said Marcos expressed dissatisfaction over Co’s release, describing the development as “very unsatisfactory,” amid reports that the former lawmaker is seeking asylum in France on grounds of alleged political persecution.
