Sandiganbayan holds closed-door hearing on bid to bar Escudero, Ngu from travel

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Monday held a closed-door hearing on Ombudsman prosecutors’ petition for a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Senator Francis Escudero and Maynard Ngu, who are under investigation for alleged plunder, graft, and other offenses linked to the flood control controversy.

Ahead of Monday's hearing, Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Fernandez asked non-principal parties to leave the courtroom, citing the risk of “spoilage of evidence” if the PHDO proceedings were opened to the public.

“At this point, we agreed to exercise prudence. This is not yet a trial, but a preliminary hearing which is confidential at this point,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez, however, assured that the resolution on the prosecution’s PHDO application will be made public.

“The resolution will not be kept a secret. It will be shared with everyone,” she said.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary and state witness Roberto Bernardo earlier said he funneled 20%—or about P160 million—of roughly P800 million worth of inserted projects for Valenzuela City under the General Appropriations Act through Ngu.

The P160 million, Bernardo said, was “meant for Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.”

Bernardo described Ngu as a “close friend” and said he personally delivered cash to the latter’s office in Manila. In his affidavit, Bernardo also said Ngu was a campaign contributor and close associate of Escudero.

Ngu, however, denied the allegation that he was involved in flood control kickbacks.—MCG, GMA News