Former Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Photo courtesy of PNA.
The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday moved to bar former Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero from leaving the country as it pursued an investigation into alleged plunder, graft, and bribery.
The request for a precautionary hold departure order was filed before the Sandiganbayan, which raffled the petition among its divisions. There was no immediate confirmation on whether the court granted the request.
A precautionary hold departure order is issued to prevent individuals facing complaints from traveling abroad while ensuring their availability during investigations.
The Ombudsman’s motion also included businessman Maynard Ngu, who was identified in earlier proceedings as an alleged associate of Escudero and linked to campaign-related funds.
During a Senate inquiry in September, former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that Ngu had coordinated with him on project insertions into the General Appropriations Act, with an agreed percentage share.
Bernardo said funds amounting to Php 160 million, representing a portion of project allocations, were later turned over to Ngu and allegedly intended for Escudero.
Escudero denied the allegations and maintained that the claims were part of a broader effort to discredit members of the Senate.
The latest move came after authorities secured a freeze order on assets linked to Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, as investigators continued to examine financial transactions related to the flood control project controversy.