Manila, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against several high-ranking public officials, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, over their alleged involvement in irregularities tied to flood control projects across the country.
The order, released this week upon the request of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), directs the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to closely monitor and report any attempt by those listed to leave the country. The DOJ clarified that the ILBO is not a travel ban but serves as a precautionary measure to ensure that the individuals under investigation remain accessible to Philippine authorities during the probe.
According to the ICI, the officials named in the order are being investigated for possible links to so-called “ghost” or substandard flood control projects that may have resulted in the misuse of billions in public funds. The ICI, chaired by retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., emphasized that the move is part of its broader effort to hold public officials accountable for alleged corruption in infrastructure spending.
Among those covered by the lookout order are Romualdez, Escudero, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Makati Mayor Nancy Binay. The list reportedly includes 33 names, also encompassing officials from the Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Education (DepEd), members of the House of Representatives, and regional district engineers from various public works offices.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that all names on the list have been entered into its central database and that immigration officers have been instructed to monitor any attempts by these individuals to travel abroad. Should further evidence emerge, the DOJ said it may later recommend a Hold Departure Order (HDO), which would legally bar those involved from leaving the country.
Several of the officials named in the ILBO have denied any wrongdoing and called the move premature, maintaining that they are willing to cooperate with the investigation. Despite these denials, the DOJ’s action underscores the administration’s commitment to intensify its campaign against corruption, especially in major infrastructure programs.
The ICI, meanwhile, said it would continue its fact-finding mission and is expected to summon key figures in the coming weeks to provide sworn statements. The commission’s findings will later be endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible administrative or criminal proceedings.
As the investigation unfolds, the lookout order serves as a reminder of the government’s effort to promote accountability and transparency in the use of public funds—particularly in projects meant to safeguard communities from flooding and other disasters
