Court issues hold departure orders vs Corona, Singson

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan on Friday issued hold departure orders (HDO) against former chief justice Renato Corona and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson.

The anti-graft court's Third Division issued an HDO against Corona in connection with the charges filed against him for his alleged failure to fully disclose his wealth in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and failure to pay the correct taxes.

Singson, meanwhile, was issued with an HDO for his case of malversation of public funds allegedly committed in 2001.

The state news agency said that the HDO directs the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the two former officials from leaving the country.

The Sandiganbayan isused the HDOs to make sure that Singson and Corona will be able to appear in the hearings of their cases.