Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday pledged to revoke the passport of former lawmaker Zaldy Co immediately after formal criminal charges are lodged against him concerning alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Co, previously a representative of the Ako Bicol Partylist, resigned from his congressional post in September following allegations of involvement in a kickback scheme linked to these projects.
According to Philippines News Agency, Co is currently outside the Philippines and has stated through his legal representative that he will not return soon due to what he claims are credible threats to his life. During a Palace press briefing, President Marcos addressed questions about why Co’s passport has not been cancelled, explaining that legal proceedings have not yet commenced. “I think that is best directed at lawyers because that is a legal answer. The legal answer is because hindi pa nasampahan ng kaso, therefore the request for cancellation of passport cannot yet be made,” Marcos stated. He assured that the passport would be cancelled promptly once the necessary legal actions are initiated.
Under Republic Act 11983, known as the New Philippine Passport Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs can only cancel or revoke a passport if it was fraudulently obtained, tampered with, or erroneously issued, or by court order if the holder is convicted of a crime or is a fugitive. Multiple complaints have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Commission on Audit, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure against numerous officials and contractors accused of executing ghost projects and manipulating bids for flood control initiatives.
President Marcos indicated that government lawyers are finalizing the legal cases, expressing his expectation that those responsible will face incarceration soon. He has established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to expedite the investigation into the multibillion-peso flood control fund scandal, which he initially disclosed in his 2025 State of the Nation Address.
