The Sandiganbayan approved the cancellation of three high-ranking Sunwest Corp. officials’ passports on Thursday, as requested by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, Cesar Z. Buenaventura, and Noel Y. Cao were reportedly involved in anomalous road projects in Oriental Mindoro, according to RH 5 Val Gonzales.
In a resolution dated December 5, the three are now considered fugitives from justice. Under Section 10 (b)(2) of Republic Act No. 11983 or the New Philippine Passport Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) may cancel travel documents of such persons “upon official receipt of an order from a competent Philippine court” to do so.
“A ‘fugitive from justice’ contemplates not only one who flee(s) after conviction to avoid punishment but also one who, after being charged, flee(s) to avoid prosecution. The essential element is the intent to evade prosecution or punishment,” the court explained.
The court stated that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to serve the warrants of arrest, but the respondents could not be located. The three could no longer be found at their last known addresses or elsewhere.
Hirit ng Ombudsman na kanselahin ang passport ng 3 matataas na opisyal ng Sunwest Corp. na sangkot sa maanomalyang road projects sa Oriental Mindoro, inaprubahan ng Sandiganbayan | @dzrh5 Val Gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/DzFUI34ABx
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 11, 2025
On November 21, the Sandiganbayan issued a Hold-Departure Order (HDO) and arrest warrants against resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and his co-accused, which include Sunwest’s board of directors.
