The passport of former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co remains valid as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it has not received a court directive ordering its cancellation. 

In a message to reporters on Monday, DFA Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said they have yet to receive a directive instructing to invalidate Co’s passport. 

“As of this morning, we have not received a court order instructing the DFA to cancel his passport,” Escalona said. 

Authorities over the weekend attempted to locate Co following the issuance of arrest warrants for him and 15 others by the Sandiganbayan on Friday in connection with the anomalous flood control projects. 

On Saturday, the Taguig City Police went to Co’s unit at Shangri-La, Bonifacio Global City, but he was not at the said residence. The Southern Police District (SPD) said his unit had been vacant for almost a month. 

Co is charged by the Office of the Ombudsman with two counts of graft and one count of malversation through falsification. 

The DFA cannot cancel one’s passport on the basis solely of an arrest warrant. Section 10(b)(2) of Republic Act 11983 or the New Philippine Passport Act provides that a passport of a fugitive from justice may be denied, cancelled, or be imposed with restrictions upon orders of the Court.