The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday that it has not yet received a court order to cancel the passport of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, despite arrest warrants issued against him in connection with a government-led flood control project scandal.
In a statement, the DFA said it can proceed with cancellation of a Philippine passport only after “receipt of a court order issued by a competent Philippine court instructing the DFA to cancel a Philippine passport,” citing Sections 4 and 10 of Republic Act 11983 (the New Philippine Passport Act). As of now, no such order has been submitted to the agency.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed that arrest warrants have been issued for Co and 17 other individuals from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Sunwest Corp. in relation to a kickback scheme tied to the flood control projects.
Co is currently abroad and, through his lawyers, has indicated he will not return soon, citing alleged threats to his life.