Rep. Tiangco, DFA trade barbs over ex-solon's passport

Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco questioned the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) failure to cancel the passport of former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co, who is allegedly involved in a corruption scandal.

Tiangco believes the DFA has the authority to cancel Co's passport and accused the agency of defending him.

The DFA retorted that Tiangco's allegations reflect a misunderstanding of the legal standards for passport cancellation.

According to the DFA, a passport may only be cancelled if it was acquired fraudulently, tampered with, erroneously issued, or if there is a court order.

The DFA stated that passport cancellation is not subject to arbitrary or political considerations and advised Tiangco to pursue judicial relief instead of making accusations.

The DFA accused Tiangco of indulging in 'baseless accusations' and stated that the government cannot play 'gotcha' with passports.