SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Friday disclosed that he promptly sought the intervention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to cancel the passport of former Ako Bicol Rep. Rizaldy Co following his resignation from the House of Representatives on September 29.
In a radio interview, Dy said he immediately contacted then-Justice Secretary, now Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to request swift action to restrict Co’s travel abroad amid investigations into alleged irregularities in public works projects linked to the former lawmaker.
“Right after nung matanggap nga namin [ang resignation letter], tinawagan ko kaagad ang dating DOJ Secretary Remulla,” revealed Dy.
He continued, “ang sabi ko, nakatanggap nga kami na nag-resign na siya (Co) as member of the House of Representatives na kung maaari lamang, kung ano ang pinakamabilis na paraan na makansela na ang kanyang passport para sa ganoon ang movement din niya ay malimita. ‘Yun ang aming ginawa, nakipag-cooperate kaagad kami sa [DOJ].”
Dy explained that while the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the authority that formally cancels passports, the House sought the assistance of the DOJ because it oversees the Bureau of Immigration and can help expedite the coordination process.
“Ang DOJ kasi po, sila ‘yung aming kinausap kaagad para sa ganoon gumawa rin sila ng tamang hakbang, ng tamang proseso para makansela nga po ang kanyang (Co) passport,” he said.
Dy said Remulla had assured him that the DOJ would take the fastest possible course of action.
“Ayon po kay Sec. Boying noon ay gagawin niya kaagad ang pinakamabilis na paraan nang sa ganoon ay makansela nga ang passport ni former congressman Zaldy Co,” said the Speaker.
He added that while the DOJ has already been requested to coordinate, communication with the DFA may have already begun.
“Siguro meron na hong communication ‘yan habang amin pong ni-request na makialam na nga po ang [DOJ],” he said.
Dy noted that Co, in his last letter to the House before resigning, stated that he was leaving the country for medical treatment in the United States.
“Maraming mga nagsasabi kung saan-saan siya nakikita. Pero ‘yung huling liham na natanggap natin mula sa kanya bago siya nag-resign is ang kanyang paliwanag doon ay nagpapa-medical, nagpapagamot siya. ‘Yun kasi, nung nag-apply po siya ng kanyang travel clearance, [ang nakalagay doon ay] patungo siya sa Amerika,” he said.
However, the Speaker acknowledged receiving reports that Co might now be in Europe.
If Co returns to the Philippines—voluntarily or otherwise—Dy said the case would likely be handled by the DOJ or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is leading the investigation into alleged irregularities in public works and flood-control projects.
