A Manila court has issued a precautionary hold departure order (HDO) against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in connection with plunder and other criminal complaints arising from alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.

In an order dated February 10, 2026, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 directed immigration authorities to prevent the respondents from leaving the country while the cases are pending.

Aside from Estrada, those covered by the HDO are former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former DPWH Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, and former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, who passed away on December 19, 2025, was also listed among the respondents in the case.

According to the court, the issuance of the precautionary hold departure order was based on a finding of probable cause and the possibility that the respondents may attempt to flee the country to evade prosecution.

The complaints filed against the respondents include alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, as well as direct bribery and corruption of public officials.

The charges stem from alleged irregularities in the implementation of flood control projects in Bulacan, which prosecutors claim involved unlawful transactions and misuse of public funds.