DILG cancels Zaldy Co's passport amid graft charges and Portuguese citizenship probe

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has canceled the passport of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.

Co is suspected of holding both a Portuguese passport and a golden visa, which complicates repatriation efforts, with the latest information placing him in Portugal.

The Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant for Co over graft and malversation charges related to a P289-million flood control project.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed confidence that Co will eventually be arrested, despite the absence of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and Portugal.

Remulla explained that Portuguese law may limit prosecution depending on when the alleged crime was committed, stating that if the crime was committed before acquiring the Portuguese passport, Co may not be chargeable, but if committed after, he could be repatriated.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has seized assets believed to be connected to Co, including properties in Forbes Park and parts of Bicol, with him being the beneficial owner of the Forbes Park property despite it not being in his name.