Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the passport of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co will be immediately canceled once criminal charges are filed against him in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
When asked why Co’s passport has not yet been revoked, Marcos said the matter is a legal issue.
“The legal answer is because hindi pa nasampahan ng kaso, therefore the request for the cancellation of his passport cannot yet be made,” he said.
“However, when the time comes, we will immediately cancel his passport,” Marcos added. “That’s the procedure. You have to give grounds for the cancellation of the passport, and those grounds will be based on the cases that will be filed.”
Co resigned from the House of Representatives in September, weeks after he was implicated as a mastermind in the so-called kickback scheme in flood control projects. He has denied the allegations, called them “false and baseless,” and said he reserves the right to respond at the proper forum.
Asked whether the government might offer Co the option of turning state witness, Marcos said such an option exists “except for…the most guilty.”
When pressed on whether he considered Co among the most guilty, the president did not comment.
“Let the courts do their work, let the judges do their work,” meaning “If I answer, you will say it’s prejudged. Let the courts and judges handle it.”
