DFA: No Court Order Yet to Cancel Zaldy Co’s Passport

Manila: The passport of resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co remains active as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not received a court order to cancel it. "As of this morning, we have not received a court order instructing the DFA to cancel his passport," DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said in a text message to reporters.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA stated that it can only cancel passports issued to Filipino citizens upon receipt of a court order from a competent Philippine court. This is pursuant to Sections 4 and 8 of Republic Act 11983, or the "New Philippine Passport Act". Section 8 specifies that passports of individuals convicted of a criminal offense, fugitives from justice, or suspected terrorists, may be cancelled through a court order.

On Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate arrest of Co and 17 other individuals allegedly involved in the controversial flood control projects.