The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it will oppose any attempt by Senator Jinggoy Estrada to lift the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him, insisting the order should remain in effect.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the PHDO, issued by a Manila Regional Trial Court, remains valid unless the same court decides to revoke it.
“The PHDO is a court order. As a court order, it can be revoked by order of the same court that issued it,” said Martinez.
Despite Estrada’s request to travel abroad during the Holy Week break to Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan, the DOJ maintained that the senator should stay in the country.
“Of course, the DOJ maintains that he is a flight risk and must not leave the country,” added Martinez.
Estrada is facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund, while the PHDO was issued in connection with a plunder probe linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The Manila court earlier ordered the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Estrada and several co-respondents from leaving the country while the preliminary investigation is ongoing.IMT
