MANILA—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) refuted allegations by Congressman Toby Tiangco that it was “lawyering” for Congressman Zaldy Co by refusing to cancel his passport, saying the claim reflects a misunderstanding of the legal standards governing passport cancellation.

In a statement, the DFA said that under the New Passport Law, it may cancel or revoke a passport only on grounds explicitly provided by law — such as when it was acquired fraudulently, tampered with, issued erroneously, or upon court order when the holder has been convicted of a criminal offense or is a fugitive from justice.

The agency stressed that the process is “governed by established legal criteria and is not subject to arbitrary or political considerations.”

“Our respect for the constitutional guarantee of due process and the rule of law cannot be rewritten on a whim — the government cannot simply play ‘gotcha’ with passports,” the DFA said.

It added that if Tiangco has “genuine concerns and substantive evidence,” he should seek judicial relief “rather than indulge in baseless accusations.”

“Upholding the rule of law, not rhetoric, must remain the compass of public service,” the statement concluded.