The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 52 has issued a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and three other former officials. This legal directive effectively bars the individuals from leaving the country while they face a preliminary investigation into a multi-million-peso plunder complaint. The court found probable cause to believe that the respondents might attempt to depart from the Philippines to evade potential arrest and prosecution related to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
The case, which was initiated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), centers on a “flood control scandal” involving projects in Bulacan. Senator Estrada is accused of allegedly maneuvering the allocation of approximately ₱355 million for funding in exchange for commissions, while former Secretary Bonoan and several high-ranking Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials are being scrutinized for their roles in the project’s approval and implementation. Alongside Estrada and Bonoan, the order covers former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, and former District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Polo Martinez clarified that the issuance of a “precautionary” order does not imply a final judgment of guilt. Instead, it serves as a protective measure to ensure the respondents remain within the court’s jurisdiction while the DOJ panel of prosecutors evaluates the evidence. Unlike a standard Hold Departure Order, which is issued after a case is formally filed in court, a PHDO is a proactive step taken during the preliminary investigation phase when a judge determines there is a significant flight risk.
The timing of the order is particularly impactful for former Secretary Bonoan, who had recently expressed intentions to travel to the United States for a family medical procedure. Under the new ruling, he and his co-respondents must now secure explicit written permission from the Manila RTC before they can be cleared for international travel. While the respondents have maintained their innocence—with Senator Estrada categorically denying the allegations—the Bureau of Immigration has already begun implementing the order across all international gateways in the country.
With additional report: Inquirer.net
