Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday said the Marcos administration is pursuing all available legal avenues to fast-track the capture and return to the country of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who has been tagged in the flood control controversy and alleged questionable budget insertions.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed authorities to exhaust lawful mechanisms to secure Co's return, amidst conflicting views on whether extradition or deportation would be more viable. Castro emphasized that the President has ordered the use of all legal procedures to expedite Co's return to the Philippines.

Castro clarified that the government is concentrating on diplomatic coordination rather than relying solely on a strict extradition process. She noted that the approach involves discussions with Portugal and cooperation with Interpol, rather than a formal extradition request.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla earlier mentioned that the government would seek Interpol's assistance to facilitate Co's repatriation from Portugal. This cooperation is deemed crucial in addressing the legal challenges involved in Co's return.

Co, who served as the former House Appropriations Committee chairperson from July 2022 to January 2025, faces charges of graft, malversation, and falsification of public documents related to the construction of an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He departed the Philippines in mid-2025 for supposed medical treatment and has not returned. Authorities suspect Co is traveling using a Portuguese passport.