Marcos Seeks Singapore, Malaysia Help for Fugitive Ex-Lawmaker's Planes Amid Philippines Corruption Scandal

President Marcos Enlists Regional Aid in Pursuit of Fugitive Ex-Lawmaker's Assets Amid Corruption Probe

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has appealed to Singapore and Malaysia for assistance in locating private aircraft believed to be hidden by former lawmaker Zaldy Co, a key figure in a burgeoning corruption scandal. Co's assets are among those frozen by the Philippine government as it intensifies its crackdown on alleged malfeasance linked to multi-billion dollar flood control projects.

The Hunt for Zaldy Co and Stolen Wealth

Last week, President Marcos issued an arrest warrant for Zaldy Co and several other individuals implicated in a significant graft case. The allegations center on the misappropriation of funds designated for vital flood infrastructure in one of the world’s most typhoon-vulnerable nations. In a public statement shared on Facebook on November 28, Marcos asserted, "You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets. You have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines." Co currently remains at large.

The immobilization of Co's assets is part of a broader government strategy to ensure accountability for those entangled in the sprawling corruption mess. This scandal, which has seen accusations levied against government ministers, senators, congress members, and affluent business figures, has gripped the nation.

Initial Victories and Public Discontent

Amidst the intensifying investigation, President Marcos announced a partial recovery of stolen funds. A public works official, previously dismissed due to involvement in the scandal, has voluntarily returned 110 million pesos (approximately S$2.4 million) to state coffers and committed to remitting an additional 200 million pesos. Marcos reiterated his administration's resolve: "This government intends to bring back every peso, every asset, every person responsible and return it to the Filipino people."

However, this scandal unfolds against a backdrop of increasing public frustration. Earlier in November, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered at Manila’s Rizal Park, echoing protests from September, demanding accountability for billions in missing flood-control funds. President Marcos, elected in 2022 with high expectations, now faces waning public goodwill as numerous projects championed by his administration are revealed to be either flawed or entirely non-existent. Protesters are steadfast in their demand for the arrest of those implicated and the restitution of purloined public money. Officials estimate that corruption-related losses over the past decade exceed a trillion pesos. While several suspects have been apprehended, authorities continue to pursue others, with Marcos vowing to jail those responsible by Christmas to mitigate the escalating crisis.

Allegations and Defiance

Adding a complex layer to the saga, Zaldy Co, from his undisclosed location, released a video earlier in November accusing President Marcos himself of receiving kickbacks totaling 100 billion pesos from project spending that Marcos allegedly ordered to be included in the 2025 budget. Marcos's office promptly dismissed these claims as "propaganda." In a subsequent video on November 24, Co escalated his allegations, claiming he facilitated as much as 56 billion pesos in kickbacks from flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025, destined for President Marcos and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In response, President Marcos challenged Co to return to the Philippines, substantiate his claims, and face his own legal charges. "For it to mean something, he should come home, face his charges. If there’s something he wants to say, say it," Marcos stated at a briefing on November 24. "Why are you hiding far away? I’m not hiding. If you have an accusation against me, I’m here."