The Sandiganbayan issued a precautionary hold departure order against Sen. Francis Escudero and Maynard Ngu amid allegations tied to anomalous flood control projects.
The Sandiganbayan has issued a precautionary hold departure order against Senator Francis Escudero as part of an investigation linked to flood control projects.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, the court directed the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Escudero from leaving the country. The order is meant to secure the senator’s availability while the case remains under review.
The same restriction extends to Maynard Ngu, described as a close friend and a campaign contributor of Escudero. The order signals that investigators are examining not only the senator’s role, but also the involvement of people connected to his political circle.
The allegations trace back to claims made earlier by retired Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.. He said he delivered about P160 million to Escudero through Ngu, as obligations tied to four projects—two in Valenzuela and two in Marinduque.. These projects were said to have first appeared in the bicameral version of the 2025 proposed national budget, before later showing up in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), where the combined cost was cited at P800 million.
Escudero and Ngu denied the accusations. Their denial adds another layer to the dispute, as the court action does not decide the case’s merits, but rather imposes a precaution while the investigation proceeds.
The development also places the flood control funding issue in focus again.. Flood control projects are often high-stakes public works because they touch on public safety, disaster resilience, and the credibility of infrastructure spending.. When allegations emerge about anomalies in how funds are routed or tied to specific projects, the impact can quickly extend beyond documents and timelines—down to communities that depend on effective drainage and flood mitigation.
The Ombudsman, through Jesus Crispin Remulla, previously said investigations are ongoing not only against Escudero, but also against former House Speaker Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, in connection with possible corruption involving flood control funds.
For lawmakers, a hold departure order can be disruptive even before any formal findings.. Travel plans, official engagements, and even routine work coordination can be affected while restrictions are in place.. For political supporters, it may also shape public perception, especially in the early stages when details are still being contested.
From a broader perspective, Misryoum notes that these cases tend to turn on how project proposals move through the budget process and how funds are linked to deliverables once appropriations are approved.. The reference to both the bicameral version and the GAA points to a key area investigators may scrutinize: when and how certain projects were consolidated, funded, and eventually implemented.