The government cannot yet revoke the passport of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co as no formal charges have been filed against him, according to the Palace.
The statement came after former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales urged authorities to cancel Co’s passport to compel him to return to the Philippines amid allegations linking him to the multi-billion-peso flood control scam.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Press Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the government has no legal basis to cancel Co’s travel document at this point.
“Hindi pa siya fugitive, siguro ‘pag may kaso na at mayroong warrant of arrest maiiba na ang sitwasyon. Mukha namang wala siyang nilabag sa pagkuha niya ng pasaporte, so kung wala itong mga dahilan hindi ito puwedeng mapa-cancel dahil ang DOJ ang magpapa-cancel ng passport sa court,” Castro explained.
Co was forced to resign from Congress after failing to return to the country despite the deadline set by the House of Representatives. Reports indicate that the former lawmaker is currently in Spain or Portugal.