THE Philippine passport of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co has been officially canceled, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the cancellation on Monday, stating that Co is “suspected” to be residing in Portugal. Co, who faces accusations of orchestrating budget insertions tied to flood control anomalies, is also believed to possess a Portuguese passport acquired years ago.
“As far as I know, his passport has been canceled,” Remulla told reporters at the Palace. He further elaborated that Co holds two passports, not just a visa, which adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Remulla also confirmed that Co possesses a Portuguese golden visa, a special type of visa granted to individuals who make significant investments in Portugal. These investments include bringing in at least 500,000 euros or donating at least 250,000 euros to Portuguese arts or cultural heritage programs.
The Philippine government is now grappling with the challenge of extracting Co from Portugal, especially given the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries. Remulla stated that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would need to address this issue.
Despite the difficulties, several government agencies are reportedly “working together to get a satisfying outcome for the repatriation of Zaldy Co back in the Philippines.” Remulla has also appealed to Filipinos worldwide to assist in tracking Co’s whereabouts, urging them to take photos and post them online if they spot him, to provide clues about his location.
Co fled the Philippines earlier this year and released videos from abroad accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being a prime beneficiary of the corruption, which Marcos has dismissed as “fake news.”
Remulla also expressed confidence in the eventual arrest of other individuals involved in the multi-billion peso flood control project scam, stating, “Capturing them is not the issue. They are in the Philippines so we will find them.” He emphasized that the focus is on the wheels of justice turning and assured that “We will get them, a hundred percent, we will get them.”
