Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco on Friday, October 17, urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, warning that inaction could test the patience of the public and erode trust in the ongoing investigations into anomalies in trillions worth of flood control projects.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the headquarters of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), Tiangco said the “sentiment of the people” is clear: they expect Co, who previously served as House Appropriations Committee chairman, to be brought back to the country to face accountability.
“Ang sentimyento ng bayan, hindi nila tatanggapin na hindi mapabalik si Zaldy Co dito,” he said. “Huwag nating subukan ang pasensya ng tao.”
Tiangco questioned why, despite mounting public anger and reports of mass protests over widespread corruption, the DFA and other government officials appeared hesitant to act against Co.
He said the department has clear authority under the Philippine Passport Act, or Republic Act No. 11983, to cancel a passport on grounds of national security. “
’Di ba dapat kanselahin niyo, tapos pabayaan niyo ang abogado niya na kwestyunin sa korte ang pagkansela?” he said. “Bakit parang sila pa ang nag-abogado para kay Zaldy Co?”
The lawmaker cited Section 4 of the Passport Act, which lists “national security” as one of the grounds for passport cancellation.
He argued that the current wave of public anger, and the risk of destabilization it poses, meets that threshold.
“May mga mass movements. Itong mass movements na ito, pwedeng samantalahin ng masamang elemento para ma-destabilize ang gobyerno. Hindi pa ba national security issue iyan?” Tiangco asked.
“Pag hindi nakansela ’yan, hindi napauwi, at nakakuha ng passport sa ibang bansa nang walang explanation, willing ba silang managot?” he asked.
