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Philippine Court Orders Bar Five Elected Officials from Leaving Country in Flood Control Cases
Sandiganbayan and other courts issued hold departure orders against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Chiz Escudero, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Representative Zaldy Co, and Representatives Eric and Edvic Yap. The orders stem from ongoing investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects.
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Philippine courts have issued hold departure orders preventing five elected officials from leaving the country while cases related to alleged flood control project corruption remain active. The Sandiganbayan issued a regular hold departure order against Senator Jinggoy Estrada on May 29, 2026, after formal charges of plunder and graft were filed on May 28, 2026.
Estrada was arrested on June 1, 2026, and is now detained at the New Quezon City Jail.
97 series of 1998, regular hold departure orders are issued after formal criminal charges are filed. 194-2018, can be issued during preliminary investigations when probable cause is established.
The Sandiganbayan granted a precautionary hold departure order against Senator Chiz Escudero on April 27, 2026, in connection with plunder, graft, and bribery complaints involving Centerways Construction and Development Inc. Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez received a precautionary hold departure order on April 22, 2026, after the Sandiganbayan denied his petition to travel abroad for medical treatment.
