APRIL 26, 2026 — The Ombudsman’s move to bar Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu from leaving the country marks another explosive turn in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, with allegations of kickbacks, campaign donations, and political favors now under the microscope.

The Office of the Ombudsman has formally asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Escudero and Ngu, citing ongoing investigations into plunder, graft, and indirect bribery. The request was raffled to the Sixth Division of the anti-graft court, which will decide whether the two can be barred from traveling abroad while the probe continues.

At the heart of the controversy is former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s affidavit, claiming he funneled 20% or ₱160 million of ₱800 million worth of projects in Valenzuela through Ngu, allegedly “meant for Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.” Bernardo described Ngu as a “close friend” and campaign donor of Escudero, saying he personally delivered cash to Ngu’s office in Manila.

Ngu, a tech billionaire and former special envoy to China, has flatly denied the accusations.

“I absolutely denied all the allegations made by Usec. Bernardo. That’s the reason why I already filed the case against Usec. on defamatory insinuations. For this, I invoke the sub judice rule because it’s pending already with appropriate courts,” he said.

Simply put, Ngu insists the matter is already before the courts and should not be prejudged.

Escudero, for his part, has also rejected the claims, calling them “malicious allegations and innuendos.” 

He stressed, “By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter — and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement.”

These allegations highlight the murky ties between campaign donors and government projects, raising uncomfortable questions about whether political contributions translate into billion-peso contracts.

Ngu’s reported ₱30 million donation to Escudero’s 2022 campaign, coupled with his alleged role as “bagman,” adds fuel to suspicions that politics and public works are deeply entangled.

This PHDO request comes on the heels of similar moves against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, showing that the Ombudsman is widening its net in the flood control mess. Whether Escudero and Ngu are guilty or victims of political maneuvering remains to be seen, but the fact that such staggering sums are in question should alarm every taxpayer.

Do you think we will truly ever see accountability in this flood control saga?

(Image: Chiz Escudero | Facebook; Tatler Asia)