The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 52 issued a precautionary hold departure order against Jinggoy Estrada and his co-respondents in connection with the plunder case and other serious charges. Among those named in the court order are Manuel Bonoan, former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as several former officials of the agency.
Based on the order issued on February 10 by Presiding Judge Juan Rañola Jr., the Bureau of Immigration was ordered to prevent the respondents from leaving the country and include their names in the Hold Departure List. According to the court, there is probable cause to believe that those involved may leave the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution.
Estrada previously insisted that there was no evidence linking him to irregularities in flood control projects. However, the examination of documents and testimonies filed by the prosecution as part of a deeper investigation into the alleged anomalies in government funds continues.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice clarified that the preliminary investigation in the plunder case, as well as in graft, direct bribery, and corruption of public officers, is still pending and has not yet been finally resolved. The issuance of the hold departure order, according to the DOJ, is only a precautionary measure and does not mean that there has been a verdict against the accused.
