Manila, Jan. 15 -- Malacanang 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.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed authorities to exhaust lawful mechanisms to secure Co's return, following conflicting views on whether extradition or deportation would be more viable.

"Sa atin pong huling pagkakaalam, ang inutos po talaga ng Pangulo ay gawin lahat ang legal na pamamaraan para mapabilis ang pag-uwi at pagbabalik ni Zaldy Co dito sa Pilipinas (As far as we know, the President actual...