The Sandiganbayan 6th Division issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu, barring them from leaving the country.

On Monday, April 27, the Sandiganbayan ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado to issue the PHDO against the said individuals and include them in the Hold Departure list.

Both persons are under investigation for graft, plunder, and indirect bribery in connection with the flood control kickback scheme.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has previously asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a PHDO against the senator and businessman. In addition, he stated that prosecutors are preparing to file a plunder case against the senator and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, stating there was “conspiracy involved.”

Meanwhile, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo had also claimed that Escudero received P160 million in kickbacks. Moreover, he alleged that he personally delivered the money to Ngu, whom he identified as the senator's bagman.