The Philippine Embassy in Portugal has not yet received any information on former lawmaker Zaldy Co's whereabouts, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Angelica Escalona said no information has been relayed to them by the Philippine Embassy in Portugal, noting that the embassy has yet to receive any report about Co, who is embroiled in corruption allegations over flood control projects.

"Wala pa po silang impormasyon na naibigay sa amin. Wala pang report (They have not yet provided us with any information. There is still no report)," Escalona said in an interview with DZBB on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Co's passport was cancelled on Dec. 10, following a resolution from the Sandiganbayan.

President Marcos announced the cancellation of his passport,  which would prevent him from further hiding in other countries.

The former Ako Bicol Partylist representative was suspected to be in Portugal, with suspicion that he also holds a Portuguese passport.

The DFA, however, cannot confirm whether Co indeed has a foreign passport.

She noted that not all Filipinos abroad who acquire a foreign passport do not necessarily report to the DFA.

"The DFA cannot answer if he has a foreign passport, lalong lalo na yung Portuguese passport. Ang makakasagot nito ay ang Portuguese government kasi po, hindi lahat ng Pilipino na nakakakuha ng foreign citizenship at foreign passport ay nagre-report sa DFA (especially the Portuguese passport. Only the Portuguese government can answer this, because not all Filipinos who acquire foreign citizenship and a foreign passport report it to the DFA)," Escalona said.

Asked whether the DFA can act on the pursuit of Co, Escalona said there must be a legal basis first, similar to the cancellation process of his passport.

"Kung meron kaming legal basis for actions with the foreign government. This is why it is very important for the DFA to closely coordinate with our law enforcement authorities, lalong lalo na po sa DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), PNP (Philippine National Police), at DOJ (Department of Justice). Kumukuha po kami ng guidance from them, we work closely with them for the next steps (If we have a legal basis for taking action with a foreign government. This is why it is very important for the DFA to closely coordinate with our law enforcement authorities, especially the DILG, the PNP, and the DOJ. We seek guidance from them and work closely with them on the next steps)," the DFA official explained.

Co was among the 16 people charged in connection with the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The government has urged overseas Filipinos to take a photo of him in case they see him and report it to Filipino authorities.