MANILA — Lawmakers on Friday called on former congressman Zaldy Co to fully disclose what he knows about alleged irregularities in flood control projects, as they pushed for his immediate return to the Philippines following his arrest in Europe.

Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima urged the government to expedite Co’s deportation so he can face pending charges.

“With the arrest of Zaldy Co, the Philippine government should waste no time in fast-tracking Co’s deportation. Dapat harapin na niya ang mga kaso laban sa kanya, panumpaan niya sa tamang forum ‘yung mga alegasyon niya, at isiwalat sa mga imbestigasyon ang lahat-lahat ng mga nalalaman niya maging mga ebidensyang meron siya ukol sa maanomalyang flood control projects,” she said in a press statement.

“Pagsabay-sabayin natin ang imbestigasyon… hindi dapat itengga ang paghahanap ng katotohanan hanggang managot ang lahat ng kurakot,” she added.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Co’s testimony could shed more light on alleged anomalies in various regions.

“Inaasahan natin na sa pagbabalik ni dating Rep. Zaldy Co sa bansa, makapagbibigay siya ng dagdag na impormasyon ukol sa mga pangyayari sa mga nagdaang maanomalyang flood control projects,” Ridon said.

He added that Co should be allowed to answer the cases filed against him before the Sandiganbayan.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno described Co’s arrest as a welcome development, saying it provides an opportunity for him to respond to allegations involving the 2025 budget and flood control projects.

“As the country continues to deal with the consequences of these projects, one thing is clear: hindi nakakalimot ang taumbayan. May this serve as a reminder that the rule of law must apply to all, including those in power and influence,” he said.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco urged the government to dispatch a high-level team to the Czech Republic to facilitate Co’s return.

“Ako po ay nanawagan sa ating gobyerno na magpadala ng high-level team sa Czech Republic upang makipag-ugnayan sa mabilisang pag-uwi ni Zaldy Co,” he said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Philippine officials have already visited Co in Prague following his arrest.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier confirmed that Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic and was subsequently returned to Czech authorities.

“The latest information confirms that Zaldy Co was stopped at the German border after entering from the Czech Republic. He was denied entry and returned to Czech authorities, where he remains in custody,” Marcos said.

Arrest warrants have been issued against Co and 17 others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and executives of Sunwest Corporation, over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed corruption and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with a P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro that prosecutors said was either non-existent or substandard.

The case is part of a broader investigation into alleged kickbacks in flood control projects, an issue first raised by Marcos during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July 2025.

Marcos said Co had been attempting to enter Germany when he was intercepted. Authorities said he had been in Europe for the past nine months, with reported sightings in Italy.

Billions of pesos are suspected to have been siphoned through alleged kickback schemes involving lawmakers and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, with several names already implicated by self-confessed collaborators.