Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco slammed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its continued inaction on the cancellation of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co’s passport, questioning why the agency and other government officials appear to be defending him.
In a press conference held at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in Taguig City, Tiangco said the DFA has full authority under the law to revoke Co’s passport without the need for a court order, RH Jecelle Rifacort reports.
“May kapangyarihan naman silang kanselahin ‘yong passport eh. Ang hindi ko maintindihan bakit tila DFA o ‘yong ibang mga nasa gobyerno ang nagdedepensa pa kay Zaldy Co kung bakit hindi pwedeng kanselahin ‘yong passport,” Tiangco said.
“’Di ba dapat kanselahin n’yo? Tapos pabayaan n’yo ‘yong abogado n’ya [na] kweustyunin sa korte ‘yong pagkansela. Bakit parang tila baga sila pa nag-aabogado. May legal na proseso naman eh.”
Tiangco cited Section 4 of Republic Act 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, which allows passport cancellation in the interest of national security.
He argued that the DFA’s inaction could endanger public confidence in the government’s ongoing investigation into the multi-billion peso flood control scandal involving Co.
Tiangco also warned that growing public anger over the issue could lead to widespread protests that may be exploited by destabilizing forces.
“Galit na galit ‘yong tao. Siguro naman mag-aagree tayo na galit na galit ‘yong tao. May mag-mamass movement. Itong mass movement na ito pwedeng samantalahin ng masamang elemento para madestabilize ‘yong gobyerno, hindi pa ba national security issue ‘yan?” Tiangco said.
The lawmaker questioned whether the DFA was ready to take responsibility if Co were to obtain a passport in a country without an extradition treaty with the Philippines.
“Ang sentimyento ng taong bayan, hindi nila tatanggapin na hindi mapabalik si Zaldy Co dito,” he said.
“Huwag natin subukan ‘yong pasensya ng tao, sa tingin ko doon na magagalit ang taumbayan. At baka doon na sila magduda sa sinseridad ng imbestigasyon.”
Tiangco urged the DFA to act decisively, saying public trust in the investigation will suffer if the government fails to ensure Co’s return to face questioning.
