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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tiangco calls Zaldy Co a 'national threat'; here's why

Tiangco calls Zaldy Co a 'national threat'; here's why

Published Nov 12, 2025 05:16 pm

At A Glance

  • For Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has turned into a "national threat"--one that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should stop taking lightly.
Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (left), Zaldy Co (PPAB)
Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (left), Zaldy Co (PPAB)


For Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has turned into a "national threat"--one that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should stop taking lightly.
This, as Tiangco renewed his appeal for the DFA to once an for all revoke the controversial Co's Philippine passport.
Tiangco reiterated in a recent television interview that the proposed revocation of the former Committee on Appropriations chairman's passport was provided for under Republic Act (RA) No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act.
“Para sa akin, it is a national security issue. Sa dami-dami ba naman ng nagra-rally at nagagalit, hindi pa ba naman national security iyan? Sa akin, puwede. Iyan nga ang sinasabi ko—bakit ayaw tanggalin?" said the solon from Metro Manila.
(For me, it is a national security issue. With so many people rallying and getting angry, can't that be consisered a national security matter already? For me, it could be. That’s exactly what I’m saying—why won’t they remove it?")
The veteran lawmaker claimed that the cancellation of Co's passport can be ordered by either President Marcos or the sitting DFA secretary can order the cancellation of Co’s passport at any time.
“The secretary of the DFA, even without an order from the President, can do it. Ang tanong, bakit hindi niya ginagawa? (The question is, why isn't she doing it?)” Tiangco asked. Theresa Lazaro is the current agency secretary.
He warned that the DFA’s inaction could allow Co to obtain a passport from another country that has no extradition treaty with the Philippines. This could potentially enable Co to evade accountability back home over controversies linked to flood control projects.
Tiangco argued that the government’s refusal to revoke Co’s passport only fuels speculation that authorities are unwilling to compel the ex-lawmaker’s return to face investigation, particularly on the issue of budget insertions and the flood control projects corruption scandal.
“Ang duda ng tao, baka naman ayaw talaga pauwiin si Zaldy...baka ayaw pauwiin si Zaldy baka magturo. Ang gusto ko, pauwiin na para mabura na ang isip ng tao na iyan,” he said.
(People suspect that maybe they really don’t want Zaldy to come home...maybe they don’t want Zaldy to come home because he might point fingers. What I want is for him to be sent home so that thought can be erased from people’s minds.)
Co resigned as Ako Bicol Party-list representative in the current 20th Congress last Sept. 29. Months before this, he reporteldy left the country to seek medical treatment for a heart ailment.
It was around this time that his name was linked to budget insertions and even the flood control projects mess. Tiangco has been Co's main critic since the start of the 20th Congress.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier announced that it will file charges against the company owned by Co's brother over the seawall that collapsed in Navotas City at the height of Super Typhoon "Uwan".
According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the agency will take legal action against Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.--owned by Christopher Co--in a bid to recover government funds and ensure accountability from the contractor.
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