Binuweltahan ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) si Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco matapos akusahan niya ang kagawaran ng pagbibigay proteksiyon kay dating Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co na inuugnay sa multi-bilyong pisong anomalya sa flood control projects.
“Congressman Toby Tiangco’s allegation that the Department of Foreign Affairs is ‘lawyering’ for Congressman Zaldy Co by not canceling his passport reflects a misunderstanding of the legal standards governing passport cancellation,” sabi ng DFA sa isang statement.
Unang sinabi ni Tiangco na dapat ay kinansela na ng DFA ang pasaporte ni Co para hindi na ito diumano makapagtago sa ibang bansa at mapuwersang humarap sa imbestigasyon sa flood control scam na isinasagawa ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) sa Pilipinas.
Sa liham kay Tiangco, mistulang nilekturan ng DFA ang kongresista tungkol sa New Philippine Passport Act na inaprubahan noong Nobyembre 2024.
“The DFA may cancel or revoke a passport only upon grounds expressly provided by law, such as passport acquired fraudulently, tampered with, or issued erroneously, or upon orders of the court when the holder has been convicted of a criminal offense or fugitive from justice,” nakasaad sa statement ng ahensiya noong Biyernes, Oktubre 17.
“This process is governed by established legal criteria and is not subject to arbitrary or political considerations,” dagdag nito.