HDO out vs ex-Apec solon linked to pork scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has issued the hold departure order (HDO) against former Apec Rep. Edgar Valdez who faces plunder charges over the pork barrel scam.

The antigraft court directed the Bureau of Immigration to implement the travel ban against Valdez, who stands accused of pocketing at least P57.787 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010 under the scheme of accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Napoles, who also faces plunder, and her bodyguard John Raymund De Asis are also included in the HDO.

“This court, in the exercise of its inherent power to use all means necessary to carry its orders into effect, more specifically to reserve and maintain the effectiveness of its jurisdiction over the case and the persons of the accused… hereby order the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to hold the departure from the Philippines of the above-named accused,” the order read

The issuance of an HDO precedes the release of an arrest warrant upon the court determination of probable cause.

Also ordered included in the HDO are Valdez’ co-accused in the graft charges: Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, DBM officials Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare, former Technology Resource Center (TRC) director Dennis Cunanan and National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) officials Allan Javellana, Rhodora Mendoza and Victor Roman Cacal;

Evelyn De Leon, Gondelina Amata, Gregoria Buenaventura, Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal, Chita Jalandoni, Sofia Cruz, Ofelia Ordoñez, Eulogio Rodriguez, Maria Ninez Guañizo, Maria Julie Villaralvo-Johnson, Romulo Relevo, Salvador Salacup, Eduardo Nolasco, Roy Bongalo, Antonio Ortiz, Marivic Jover, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana and Consuelo Lilian Espiritu.