MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Francis Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu on Monday, directing immigration authorities to prevent them from leaving the country amid ongoing corruption allegations.
The court granted an ex parte application filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, which cited complaints of plunder, graft and indirect bribery as basis for the order. The ruling stated that there is a high likelihood the respondents could leave the country, but clarified that the order does not determine guilt.
A PHDO directs the Bureau of Immigration to restrict international travel of individuals facing criminal complaints punishable by at least six years and one day in prison.
The Sixth Division conducted a closed-door hearing on the request before issuing the order, citing concerns over the potential compromise of evidence.
Escudero has been implicated in allegations tied to alleged anomalies in flood control projects, based on testimony from former Department of Public Works and Highways official Roberto Bernardo, who is now a state witness.
Bernardo alleged during a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing that he facilitated project insertions and claimed a commission arrangement involving Escudero. Escudero has denied the allegations and said he will contest the claims.
The case also involves Maynard Ngu, chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies, the company behind Cherry Mobile. Bernardo alleged that Ngu delivered funds and facilitated payments connected to government projects, which Ngu has not publicly addressed in detail.
The Ombudsman has said it may file plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan, while a separate division of the court has also issued a PHDO in a related case involving other officials.
The investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
