President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. clarified on Thursday that the passport of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co has not been canceled because no formal case has yet been filed against him. 

Co, facing allegations of major involvement in flood control controversies, is currently abroad

“I think that's best directed at the lawyer because it's a legal answer. And the legal answer is because hindi pa nasampahan ng kaso, therefore the request for the cancellation of his passport cannot yet be made,” Marcos told reporters in a press briefing at Malacañan Palace. 

“However, when that time comes, we will immediately cancel his passport. I'm not a lawyer, so maybe I'm not the best person to explain it,” he explained. 

The President emphasized that any passport cancellation must follow constitutional procedures, which require a legal basis tied to a filed case.

“But that's the procedure. You have to give grounds for the cancellation of the passport. And those grounds will be based on the cases that will be filed against him,” he said. 

When asked if Zaldy Co could be given the option to become a state witness, Marcos pointed out that such an option exists for individuals who are not “the most guilty.”

“That option is always there, except for them who are the most guilty,” he said. 

He, however, declined to comment on Co’s culpability. 

“I don't want… And then, ‘pag sinabi ko, sasagutin kita, sasabihin ninyo prejudged (If I said it, if I will answer you, you’ll say it’s rejudged). Let the courts do their work. Let the judges do their work,” he said.