MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has barred former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu from leaving the country as authorities intensify their probe into a multi-billion-peso flood control kickback scheme.
In a ruling issued Monday night, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request for a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against the two, effectively restricting their travel while the investigation is underway.
The order came after a closed-door summary hearing where magistrates evaluated whether there was sufficient basis to prevent Escudero and Ngu from leaving the Philippines during the ongoing inquiry.
The proceedings were conducted in private to safeguard the integrity of evidence and witness testimony, with the court emphasizing that no formal charges have yet been filed.
According to the Ombudsman’s verified ex parte application, Escudero could face complaints for plunder, graft, and indirect bribery.
The case stems from allegations raised during a Senate inquiry, where former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that Escudero was entitled to a 20 percent “commitment fee” from certain infrastructure projects.
Bernardo alleged that P1.4 billion worth of flood control projects were earmarked for Escudero in several areas, including Valenzuela, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Quezon City.
He also claimed to have delivered P160 million to Escudero at a building owned by Ngu in Manila, followed by another P120 million in 2025.
Escudero has previously denied the accusations.
The Sandiganbayan said its ruling on the Ombudsman’s application would be released publicly, even as it maintained confidentiality over parts of the proceedings to avoid compromising the case.
The travel restriction comes as authorities continue to build cases tied to a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control funding./PN
