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

According to Philippines News Agency, a verified ex parte application for the PHDO was submitted following charges against the four individuals for plunder, indirect bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, a law enacted in 1972 that prohibits gift-giving to public officers.

The Commission on Elections had previously investigated allegations concerning campaign donations reportedly received by Marcoleta. These donations, which were allegedly not disclosed in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures, amounted to PHP75 million as of January 2025.

In related developments, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced an investigation into the criminal information against Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Estrada faces charges of plunder and other offenses linked to his alleged involvement in the flood control project scam.