Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and four co-respondents in a plunder case must secure court approval before leaving the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said.
The precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) was issued by Manila RTC Branch 52 on Feb. 10 to prevent them from evading prosecution.
The PHDO targets Estrada, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, DPWH Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, and former DPWH Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara.
The five are facing plunder charges over alleged flood control anomalies, currently under preliminary investigation by DOJ prosecutors.
While courts may grant travel in emergency or urgent cases, the BI will enforce the order if permission is denied.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 18, 2026
JINGGOY ESTRADA, FOUR OTHERS MUST GET COURT CLEARANCE BEFORE LEAVING PH
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