MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that it does not have the mandate to secure the return of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who is wanted over his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.

In a report, the statement came after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the DFA is now the lead agency tasked with handling Co’s return to the Philippines following months of hiding in an unknown country. Some reports indicate that Co, who also holds a Portuguese passport, may be in Portugal.

“While the DFA values the DILG’s collaboration, the DFA clarifies that Mr. Co’s arrest and repatriation involve coordinated law enforcement and judicial processes, particularly Interpol coordination,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona said.

Escalona added that Remulla’s view that the matter rests solely with the DFA “does not fully capture this whole-of-government approach, which requires joint action across concerned government agencies.”

She reiterated that the DFA is committed to the rule of law and ensuring that Filipino nationals facing legal accountability return to the country to face due process. The agency said it is ready to provide diplomatic assistance as long as it is “within its mandate and in line with established protocols.”

The DFA also urged the public to report any information on Co’s whereabouts to support efforts to locate him.

Co, who led the House Appropriations Committee during the 19th Congress, resigned in 2025 amid allegations of irregularities in government flood control projects. Investigations by Congress and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure have since led to indictments and detentions of several DPWH officials, engineers, and construction company owners on corruption and malversation charges.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption groups and Roman Catholic Church leaders have expressed frustration that influential lawmakers implicated in the anomalies have largely avoided indictments and detention.