MANILA, Philippines — In a high-profile bid to bring a fugitive lawmaker to justice, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on December 10 announced the cancellation of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co’s passport, intensifying efforts to locate and repatriate the ex-congressman amid sweeping corruption allegations linked to flood control infrastructure.
Passport Revoked as Global Search Intensifies
“I can report to you that Zaldy Co’s passport has been cancelled,” President Marcos said in a video statement, confirming his administration’s mounting campaign to pin down the embattled former legislator. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), acting on presidential instruction, is working in concert with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and diplomatic missions worldwide to monitor Co’s movements and restrict his ability to move across borders.
The official passport cancellation halts Co’s ability to secure immigration clearance abroad and paves the way for potential extradition or deportation—although the lack of a treaty with Portugal, where Co is reportedly staying, complicates such legal proceedings.
Resignation Sparks Flight Amid Corruption Probe
Co relinquished his congressional post on September 29, 2025, citing “real, direct, grave and imminent threat” to his family and “evident denial” of due process. His resignation came as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended charges of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of official documents in connection with substandard flood control projects.
A focal point in the investigation is a P289.5 million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Oriental Mindoro, attributed to Co’s business interests and his role as founder of Sunwest Corporation, the prime contractor on the project. Engineers and whistleblowers testified before investigators, linking Co personally to budget anomalies and delivery of illicit kickbacks to his private residence in Pasig City.
Pattern of Evasion Fuels Government Response
Despite citing a medical leave as the reason for departure, Co has evaded numerous summons and ultimatums issued by House leadership and investigative bodies. Reports suggest he has remained outside the country since mid-2025. With his location believed to be in Portugal, the Philippine government’s ability to secure his return faces procedural and diplomatic hurdles.
President Marcos’s administration has turned to international instruments, including working through embassies and potential Interpol red notices, although success remains dependent on bilateral cooperation. The cancellation of Co’s passport, however, may limit his ability to cross borders freely, raising the likelihood of detention by local authorities abroad.
Legal Grounding and Diplomatic Implications
Under the Philippine Passport Act, passport cancellations must be based on legal grounds, typically requiring court orders. Previous efforts to revoke Co’s passport were stalled pending the submission of sufficient documentation. Marcos’s recent declaration indicates that requisite legal procedures have now been fulfilled, enabling the DFA to enforce the cancellation within the scope of national and international law.
Nevertheless, enforcement remains constrained by international treaty obligations—or lack thereof. Portugal, absent an extradition treaty with the Philippines, does not have a formal framework compelling the surrender of individuals solely on the strength of foreign warrants.
Mounting Evidence in Multi-Billion Peso Scandal
The broader investigation into flood mitigation projects from 2022 to 2025 has unearthed allegations of systemic abuse involving billions of pesos. Evidence points to widespread anomalies in bidding processes, ghost deliveries, and overpriced contracts overseen by Co during his tenure as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
The ICI’s findings implicated several other officials, including personnel within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Oriental Mindoro, amplifying the gravity of the scandal. President Marcos has framed these revelations as “a test of the nation’s resolve to uphold accountability and tear down established networks of corruption.”
From Lawmaker to Fugitive
Once heralded as a leading fiscal policymaker, Co’s fall from grace has reverberated through Philippine political and civic sectors. His current silence and absence from legal proceedings have strained public patience, clouded Ako Bicol’s previously service-oriented image, and raised questions about government oversight mechanisms.
In his resignation, Co insisted that the charges were politically motivated and claimed he was denied the chance to defend himself adequately under the law. His statement, however, was not followed by further legal engagement or return to the Philippines for formal hearings.
Political Resolve vs Legal Constraints
Despite the crackdown, the saga underscores the tension between political will and legal process in high-stakes corruption cases. The chartered path to justice is now dependent upon diplomatic agility, international law, and Co’s eventual apprehension outside Philippine jurisdiction.
As the search widens and global partners are drawn into the effort, the fate of Zaldy Co will serve as a litmus test for whether accountability can traverse borders—or slip through bureaucratic cracks.
