Manila, Dec. 11 -- The Sandiganbayan has ordered the cancellation of the passport of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and formally declared him a fugitive from justice.

In an eight-page resolution dated Dec. 10, the anti-graft court ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately cancel Co's Philippine passport.

"It is the court's view that the deliberate refusal to submit to the lawful authority of the court, unless his demands are met, confirms his clear intent to remain outside the jurisdiction of the court," the court said in its ruling.

"It must be emphasized that accused left the country at the time investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects were active and when formal charges against him w...