Sandiganbayan starts hearing on bid to block Escudero from leaving PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Monday began the hearing on the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) petition for Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and his alleged bagman Maynard Ngu. This proceeding was prompted by the Office of the Ombudsman’s verified ex parte petition filed before the anti-graft court on Saturday. Escudero is among