The Bureau of Immigration said it has secured a copy of the Sandiganbayan-issued precautionary hold departure order covering Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Michael Defensor, and two businessmen.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the bureau obtained the court document and is prepared to enforce the restriction should any of the covered individuals attempt to leave the country.
She explained that immigration personnel at international ports would coordinate with the Sandiganbayan to confirm the validity of the hold departure order if the subjects are encountered during travel checks.
Sandoval added that, based on current monitoring, the bureau has not recorded any recent international travel involving Marcoleta, Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray.
The Sandiganbayan issued the precautionary hold departure order after granting the request of the Office of the Ombudsman as part of its ongoing cases against the four respondents.
The order bars them from leaving the country while they face charges of plunder, indirect bribery, and alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 46.
The anti-graft court’s directive is intended to ensure that the respondents remain within Philippine jurisdiction while legal proceedings are underway.
The Bureau of Immigration said it will continue monitoring all ports of exit and is ready to immediately alert the Sandiganbayan if any attempt to depart is detected.
