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February 16, 2026 | 5:45pm
Composite image: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as seen in January 2025 and former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan.
Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — A Manila Regional Trial Court has issued a precautionary hold departure order (HDO) against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and several former Public Works officials in connection with alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
In an order dated February 10, Branch 52 of the Manila Regional Trial Court directed the Bureau of Immigration to place Estrada, former Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and former district engineers Henry Alcantara and Gerard Opulencia on its Hold Departure Order list.
Former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, who died on Dec. 19, 2025, was also listed among the respondents.
The order bars the individuals from leaving the country while the case remains pending before prosecutors.
Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the court found probable cause to believe the respondents may leave the country to avoid arrest.
According to the court order, the complaints involve alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder under Republic Act 7080, and direct bribery and corruption of public officials.
The cases stem from the alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
Bonoan's prior departure, return. On Monday, February 16, Bonoan submitted a counter-affidavit in one of his cases before the Department of Justice.
In an interview with reporters, he said prosecutors had earlier allowed him to travel to the United States for his wife’s medical procedure.
With the issuance of the precautionary HDO, however, he may no longer leave the country without court authorization.
Why precautionary?
A hold departure order is issued by a court to prevent a respondent from leaving the Philippines while a case is pending.
Martinez said the directive is considered precautionary because the complaints have yet to be formally filed in court and remain under preliminary investigation.
