Sandiganbayan bars Escudero, trader from leaving PH

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and his alleged bagman, businessman Maynard Ngu, are now barred from leaving the country after the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division on Monday issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against the pair.

The anti-graft court also directed the Bureau of Immigration to include the names of Escudero and Ngu in its hold departure list.

A PHDO prevents individuals facing criminal complaints from traveling abroad to ensure they will be available for investigation.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday asked the Sandiganbayan to prevent the departure of the pair.

READ: Ombudsman: Asset freeze vs Romualdez, HDO bid vs Escudero

Escudero is under investigation for alleged plunder, graft, and indirect bribery after he was linked by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate hearing in September to the flood control corruption scheme.

Bernardo had testified that he delivered P160 million, through Ngu, to Escudero as the senator’s alleged 20-percent cut from around P800 million worth of infrastructure projects that were inserted in the General Appropriations Act.

Escudero strongly denied the allegations, saying there was a “well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate.” —JOHN ERIC MENDOZA /atm