EX-CONGRESSMAN ZALDY CO’S PASSPORT CANCELLED – MARCOS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to coordinate with the country’s embassies for the capture and immediate return of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to the Philippines following the cancellation of the fugitive lawmaker’s passport.

“Maibabalita ko po sa inyo na ang passport po ni Zaldy Co ay kanselado na,” President Marcos said in a video message on Wednesday.

“Kaya in-instruction-an ko na ang Department of Foreign Affairs, pati ang PNP (Philippine National Police), na makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga embassies sa iba’t ibang bansa para tiyakin na hindi maaaring magtago itong ating hinahabol na magtago doon sa kanilang bansa,” the President added.

“At kung sakali man ay siya ay pupunta roon, ay i-rereport sa atin para naman maibalik natin siya dito sa Pilipinas.”

Co, as well as officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa and executives of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. are facing arrest warrants after they were charged with graft and malversation charges over an anomalous multi-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The case was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan as part of the first tranche of cases related to flood control projects corruption.

President Marcos also said that controversial contractor Sarah Discaya is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) following her surrender on Tuesday in anticipation of the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.

The process of going after those involved in the flood control scandal is going well, the President said, reassuring the public that corrupt officials and individuals will be held accountable.

“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,” said President Marcos.