MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has officially barred Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu from leaving the country. On Monday, April 27, 2026, the anti-graft court granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s application for a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO), citing ongoing investigations into allegations of plunder, graft, and indirect bribery.
The order directs the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to prevent any departure attempts by the two individuals, following a closed-door hearing aimed at preventing the “spoilage of evidence.”
The case stems from high-profile investigations into anomalies surrounding national flood control projects.
- State Witness Testimony: Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated Escudero in the scheme. Bernardo alleged that he delivered a total of P280 million (in separate installments of P160M and P120M) to Ngu’s office in Manila.
- The “Kickback” Scheme: Bernardo further alleged that Ngu acted as an intermediary, requesting a list of projects for inclusion in the national budget in exchange for a 20-percent cut intended for Escudero.
- The Maynard Ngu Connection: Ngu, the CEO of Cosmic Technologies (the company behind Cherry Mobile), was a significant donor to Escudero’s 2022 campaign, contributing P30 million.
Senator Escudero has “vehemently denied” the allegations, calling them malicious and unfounded.
- Denial of Contact: Escudero pointed out that by Bernardo’s own admission, the former undersecretary never had direct contact with the senator regarding the matter.
- Commitment to Legal Process: The senator maintains that the accusations are “innuendos” and has pledged to prove the falsity of the claims in court.
The PHDO against Escudero is part of a wider sweep by the Office of the Ombudsman targeting high-ranking officials:
- Ferdinand Martin Romualdez: Last week, a similar PHDO was issued against the former House Speaker.
- Upcoming Filings: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla indicated that formal plunder charges against both Escudero and Romualdez may be filed before the Sandiganbayan as early as May 2026.
- Legal Definition: A PHDO is issued when there is a high likelihood a respondent might flee before formal charges are filed; it is not a final determination of guilt.
The Sandiganbayan’s decision marks a significant escalation in the government’s pursuit of accountability within the DPWH and the legislative branch regarding the allocation of public funds for infrastructure.