The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former congressman Michael Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.

A verified ex parte application for the issuance of the PHDO was filed after the four individuals were named in charges for plunder, indirect bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, a 1972 law prohibiting gift-giving to public officers.

The Commission on Elections earlier investigated the campaign donations allegedly obtained by Marcoleta, which he allegedly failed to disclose in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures, totaling PHP75 million in January 2025.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office will investigate the criminal information against Senator Jinggoy Estrada with plunder and other offenses over his involvement in the flood control project scam. (PNA)