President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tightened the ropes on fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, announcing Wednesday that the Department of Foreign Affairs has canceled Coโs passportโa move designed to stop him from slipping further out of reach. In a recorded statement, Marcos said he has also ordered the DFA and the Philippine National Police to coordinate with foreign embassies, ensuring that any attempt by Co to move abroad is immediately flagged. โPara maibalik natin siya dito sa Pilipinas,โ the president saidโno more running, no more hiding.
Coโaccused of being a key operator in the sprawling DPWH corruption and kickback networkโleft the country even before the scandal broke wide open. But as testimonies mounted, he attempted a counterpunch of his own, releasing a video accusing Marcos and other officials of orchestrating a staggering โฑ100-billion budget insertion. Critics, however, dismissed Coโs claims as cheap swings from afar, saying any allegation is meaningless until he comes home to face the cases stacked against him.
Marcos also noted that controversial contractor Sarah Discaya, another central figure in the flood-control mess, has already surrendered to the NBIโeven without a warrant. Her move, he said, is proof that the governmentโs anti-corruption push is gaining ground as more pieces of the network begin to fall into place.
With billions suspected stolen and public trust on the line, the administration is deep inside its toughest bout yet. Canceling a passport isnโt a final blowโbut itโs a clean, heavy hit aimed at dragging one of the central players back into the fight.
Screenshot from Rep. Zaldy Co FB