Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Departing passengers queue before the immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on July 4, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17630996010611763099600822.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Departing passengers queue before the immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on July 4, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Departing passengers queue before the immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on July 4, 2023. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Government cannot cancel the passports of people allegedly linked to corruption in flood-control projects arbitrarily despite public clamor, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.</p><p>Reports that figures like former congressman Zaldy Co and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan are abroad while investigations into infrastructure projects are ongoing have prompted criticism of perceived government inaction.</p><p>&quot;Many are asking, why do they still have their passports? Why aren’t they canceled? Again, we must respect the rights of every Filipino. There&#x27;s a Passport Law… You can’t cancel a passport just because it&#x27;s being talked about,&quot; he told media.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/zaldy-co-breaks-silence-on-flood-control-mess-1214"><strong>Zaldy Co breaks silence on flood control mess</strong></a></div><p>Under the New Philippine Passport Act, <strong>passports can be cancelled when ordered by a court</strong> on the following grounds:</p><p>• If passport holder has been convicted of a criminal offense</p><p>• If the holder is a fugitive from justice</p><p>•  If the holder is a suspected terrorist and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act</p><p>A passport may also be cancelled if it was &quot;acquired fraudulently, tampered with, or issued erroneously or when a passport is returned to the DFA by other government agencies or entities.&quot;</p><p>Government officials and contractors implicated in the flood control mess have yet to be formally accused of corruption and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has so far only submitted recommendations to the Office of the Ombudsman.</p><p>Some are subject to Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders, which do not authorize immigration officers to stop subjects from leaving the country.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/11/doj-confirms-ex-dpwh-chief-bonoan-s-departure-for-us-1903"><strong>DOJ confirms ex-DPWH chief Bonoan&#x27;s departure for US</strong></a></div><p>Vida acknowledged that &quot;[w]e are frustrated… we’re all affected, that’s why the Filipino people are so invested in this investigation&quot; but stressed the government needs to follow due process. </p><p>&quot;Once the elements for cancellation of passports are present, we will file the request to the [Department of Foerign Affairs] — but not earlier,” he said in an ambush interview during the celebration of the National Bureau of Investigation&#x27;s anniversary.<strong> — Zyann Ambrosio , ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yhlg-OWRc1A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Government cannot cancel the passports of people allegedly linked to corruption in flood-control projects arbitrarily despite public clamor, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.</p>

Government cannot cancel the passports of people allegedly linked to corruption in flood-control projects arbitrarily despite public clamor, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.

Why people tagged in the flood control mess still have valid passports

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Why people tagged in the flood control mess still have valid passports

ABS-CBN News

Published November 14, 2025 02:01 PM PHT

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Fredderick Vida

Bureau of Immigration

Department of Justice

Passports

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