DoJ issues travel ban vs Estrada, Bonoan

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) on Monday said a travel ban has been issued against Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, and four others amid an ongoing investigation into a multibillion-peso plunder and corruption case involving government infrastructure projects.

In an order dated Feb. 10, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 52 issued a precautionary hold departure order to the Bureau of Immigration, preventing the respondents from fleeing the Philippines while the case is ongoing.

“There is probable cause to believe that respondents will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution of the crimes against them,” the order by Judge Juan G. Rañola, Jr. stated.

The respondents face charges of plunder, graft, and direct bribery for allegedly orchestrating a massive bid-rigging scheme and pocketing kickbacks from fictitious flood control projects. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking