Palace backs travel ban on Genuinos

Malacañang on Tuesday backed the Department of Justice’s action to place Efraim Genuino, former chair of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), and his children under a hold-departure order (HDO), saying it was the “preemptive” move and a “responsible thing to do.”

Despite Genuino’s lawyer calling the HDO “persecution,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said there were testimonies and evidence showing that a crime of plunder was possibly committed by the former Pagcor chair.

Genuino and two of his children have been charged with plunder and malversation of funds.

The Genuinos have accused the Department of Justice of “discrimination and persecution” and are seeking the lifting of the HDO against them.

“It’s a preemptive move because of the evidence that’s coming out. I think it’s a responsible thing to do,” Carandang told reporters.

He said it was standing operating procedure that a person be placed on an HDO if there was evidence against him even if he had not yet been charged in court.

More so, if a person is considered a flight risk, according to Carandang.

“We can’t simply take their word for it,” he said in reference to the assurance of the Genuinos’ lawyer that his clients did not intend to go into hiding.

Genuino and his children have been given by state prosecutors until Aug. 9 to submit their counteraffidavits on the charges of plunder and malversation filed against them by Pagcor.

Pagcor chair Cristino Naguiat Jr. claimed that during Genuino’s watch, some P186 million worth of Pagcor funds were misused from 2003 to 2010.

Among the alleged anomalies was the funding of the Bida party-list group in the 2010 elections wherein Genuino’s daughter was its first nominee.