Passport Cancellation Lags for Ex-Lawmaker Accused in Trillion-Peso Kickback Scheme

Former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co

Passport Cancellation Lags for Ex-Lawmaker Accused in Trillion-Peso Kickback Scheme

By Wilma N. Yamzon – ThrNationWeek.Com | October 17, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Despite escalating pressure and a formal request from House Speaker Faustino Dy III, the passport of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co remains valid, raising questions about the pace of the process and potential protectors shielding him from facing massive corruption allegations.

Co is accused of masterminding a scheme involving trillions of pesos in kickbacks from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects, many of which are alleged to be “ghost projects” or substandard constructions.

The slow progress in canceling Co’s passport comes after his abrupt resignation from the House on Sept. 29, following Speaker Dy’s directive to return to the Philippines within 10 days amid growing scrutiny.

Co claimed medical treatment in the United States, but intelligence suggests he may have relocated to Europe.

“I told (former justice secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla) that, if possible, let’s pursue the fastest way to cancel his passport to restrict his movements,” Dy said.

Co, who chaired the powerful House appropriations committee in the 19th Congress, is under intense pressure to address accusations of inserting irregular allocations into the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and allegedly receiving kickbacks from fraudulent projects through his company, Sunwest Inc.

He is also implicated alongside former Speaker Martin Romualdez in the alleged scheme.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ultimately controls passport cancellation, the House is attempting to leverage the DOJ’s influence over the Bureau of Immigration to expedite Co’s return.

Critics say the current pace is slow given the gravity of the accusations and the potential for Co to evade accountability.

The sheer scale of the alleged corruption – trillions of pesos – underscores the urgency.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco previously filed an ethics complaint against Co, demanding answers to the allegations.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is also actively investigating the alleged irregularities.