Zaldy Co passport canceled — Marcos

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday the passport of former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, a key figure in the multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal, has been canceled.

"Maibabalita ko po sa inyo na ang passport po ni Zaldy Co ay kanselado na," Marcos said in a video message.

(I can share the news that the passport of Zaldy Co has been canceled.)

Co, who went abroad for medical reasons, has yet to return to the country amid the ongoing investigation into budget insertions and flood control projects. He has since maintained innocence against allegations thrown against him.

The President said he has already instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to coordinate with Philippine embassies to locate the former congressman. 

''Kaya in-instruction-an ko na ang Department of Foreign Affairs, pati ang PNP, 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,'' Marcos said.

(That is why I instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as the PNP, to coordinate with our embassies to ensure that Co will not be able to hide in their host-countries.)

''At kung sakali man ay siya ay pupunta roon, ay ire-report sa atin para naman maibalik natin siya dito sa Pilipinas," the President added.

(Should he go to their country, his movements will be reported to us so that he will be returned here in the Philippines.)

Finding Zaldy

In September, the House of Representatives said Co flew to the United States for medical treatment. 

Records of the US Customs and Border Protection showed that Co arrived in New York on August 26 and left on September 13.

Earlier this month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Co was believed to be in Portugal. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla had said Co was suspected to hold a Portugese passport "acquired so many years ago."

Aside from the US and Portugal, Remulla earlier said Co's previous locations also include Europe, Singapore, Spain, and Japan.

On November 21, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced that warrants of arrest were issued against Co and 15 others–officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and directors of Sunwest Corp.–in connection with the flood control projects controversy.

This came after the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others on November 18 over the alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Discaya's demise

Meanwhile, Marcos also said contractor Sarah Discaya was already under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after she showed up Tuesday at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City.

''Kaugnay naman kay Sarah Discaya, sumuko naman siya kahapon sa NBI at nasa kustodiya na siya ng NBI. Hinihintay ang pormal na paglabas ng kanyang warrant of arrest,'' Marcos said.

 (In relation to Sarah Discaya, she surrendered to the NBI yesterday and she has already been placed under the custody of the NBI. We are waiting for the formal release of the warrant of arrest against her.)

Discaya and her husband Pacifico are in hot water after their construction firms were tagged in alleged anomalies in flood control projects. 

They own the Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, one of 15 companies named by Marcos that secured 20% of the flood control projects in the country. 

Satisfied

Marcos, meanwhile, said he is satisfied with the process of the investigation and prosecution in relation to the anomalies in flood control projects. 

''Kaya nakikita po natin, maganda naman ang takbo ng proseso at ‘yung ating mga hinihinalang kasama dito sa ganitong klaseng sindikato ay haharap sa hustisya,'' he said. 
 
(We can see that the process is good and those we think of being involved in the anomalies will be put to justice.)

Marcos also assured that the investigation and filing of charges against certain individuals in connection to the flood control anomalies will continue.

''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,'' he said. 

(You can expect that we will continue the investigation, we will still pursue cases to ensure that those guilty of this scandal will face the law and that stolen public funds will be returned to the Filipino people.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News