Former Philippine lawmaker Zaldy Co is facing an arrest warrant in the Philippines in connection with alleged graft and malversation tied to a 289 million peso flood-control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Court documents obtained by Philippine media show Co appeared before a notary public in Nacka, near Stockholm, on 15 January. An apostille attached to a petition filed with the Philippine Supreme Court states he personally signed the filing in Sweden, and that the notary verified his identity and signature.
The Sweden notarisation has added to questions about Co’s location. On 22 January, the Philippine interior secretary said the government had spotted Co living in Lisbon, Portugal, while the apostille indicates he was in Sweden at least one week earlier.
In the petition, Co asks the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of an Ombudsman resolution dated 14 November 2025 that recommended charges against him. He also seeks to have the resolution annulled, arguing he was not properly informed of the case and that his lawyers were prevented from accessing documents.
Co’s lawyers say he did not flee the Philippines. They say he left the country on 19 July 2025 on official medical leave and has remained abroad due to what they described as threats to his safety.
