President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced that the government has cancelled the passport of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, a key figure under probe for alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
“Maibabalita ko po sa inyo na ang passport po ni Zaldy Co ay kanselado na (I can report to you that Zaldy Co’s passport has already been canceled),” Marcos said in a video message.
Marcos said he has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to coordinate with Philippine embassies abroad to ensure Co cannot evade the law.
“At kung sakali man ay siya ay pupunta roon, ay i-rereport sa atin para naman maibalik natin siya dito sa Pilipinas (And if he happens to go there, he will be reported to us so that we can bring him back to the Philippines),” he said.
Meantime, Marcos welcomed as good news the surrender of controversial contractor Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday.
Marcos said the process is progressing smoothly, emphasizing that individuals suspected of being part of the alleged syndicate will face justice.
“Asahan po ninyo na patuloy pa rin ang ating imbestigasyon, patuloy pa rin ang ating pagpila ng mga kaso upang tiyakin na ang mga guilty dito sa ganitong klaseng iskandalo ay haharap sa batas at bukod diyan ay maibalik ang ninakaw na pera sa taong bayan (Rest assured that our investigation continues, and we are still filing cases to ensure that those guilty in this kind of scandal will be held accountable under the law, and in addition, the stolen public funds will be returned to the people),” he said.
On Dec. 5, Marcos announced that the Office of the Ombudsman recommended filing cases of malversation through falsification and violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, against Discaya and other individuals involved in the ghost flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. (PNA)
