Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday claimed that former congressman Zaldy Co, who is facing corruption and malversation charges over alleged anomalous flood control projects, is currently staying in a luxury residence along the famed Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Speaking at a forum, Remulla said Co was allegedly staying in a 10-bedroom property near luxury fashion house Christian Dior.
“He has a house in Champs-Élysées, 10 bedrooms na malapit sa Christian Dior. Ganito kalaki ‘yung taas ng mga ceiling noon, 10 bedrooms. Probably worth five, probably worth maybe 200 million dollars, euros,” Remulla said.
“Doon siya ngayon,” he added.
Remulla said the Philippine government applied for an Interpol red notice against Co as early as September 2025.
“I am confident we’ll get the red notice and I’m confident we’re going to get Zaldy Co back here to the Philippines,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that Co could be returned to the country before the completion of his reported asylum application in France.
Interpol defines a red notice as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal action.
Co and 17 others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and executives of Sunwest Corp., are facing corruption and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan over an alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Co has denied the allegations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier disclosed that Co had been detained in Prague on April 16 after being stopped near the German border due to travel document issues.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida later said Co was no longer in Czech custody, while Malacañang confirmed that the former lawmaker was seeking asylum in France.
Meanwhile, Co’s lawyer, Atty. Ruy Rondain, criticized Remulla’s statements as “foolish” and said he had no information regarding his client’s whereabouts.
The Champs-Élysées, one of the most expensive and iconic avenues in France, stretches nearly two kilometers from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and is known for its luxury shops, hotels, and historic landmarks.
