Eric, Edvic Yap barred from leaving Philippines over flood management scandal

The Ombudsman had sought a precautionary maintain departure order because of the Yaps’ alleged ‘attainable participation’ in malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft courtroom Sandiganbayan issued a precautionary maintain departure order (PHDO) towards Benguet Consultant Eric Yap and resigned ACT-CIS Consultant Edvic Yap – barring them from flying overseas – because of the flood management corruption scandal.

“Let a Precautionary Maintain Departure Order be issued towards respondents Consultant Eric Go Yap and Edvic Go Yap pursuant to Rule VIII, Part 3 of the 2018 Revised Inside Guidelines of the Sandiganbayan, in relation to A.M. No. 18-07-05-SC,” the Sandiganbayan’s 2nd Division stated in an order dated March 3.

A PHDO is a comparatively new mechanism that, if granted by a courtroom, can bar abroad journey. It permits prosecutors to ask for a maintain departure order (HDO) even when the investigation is on the grievance degree solely.

Earlier than the PHDO’s approval in 2018, solely an HDO might forestall abroad journey. Nonetheless, an HDO can solely be invoked when there’s already a case filed earlier than a courtroom, so issues have been tougher for prosecutors earlier than.

On this case, the Workplace of the Ombudsman’s Workplace of the Particular Prosecutor (OSP) utilized for the PHDO issuance towards the Yaps resulting from their alleged “attainable participation” in malversation of public funds and alleged violation of Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act.

The OSP’s software is anchored on the Division of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) grievance filed with the Ombudsman on October 23, 2025 towards 13 officers of the DPWH La Union 2nd District Engineering Workplace, Silverwolves Development Company, and different unnamed events.

Based on the grievance, the 2 flood management tasks amounting to P89 million every, which have been awarded to Silverwolves, have been improperly reported as 100%. The contractor additionally allegedly obtained full fee of the contract worth.

The OSP, citing a Court docket of Appeals decision, stated the Yaps have alleged connection to Silverwolves: “The AMLC additionally found that Silverwolves made vital fund transfers amounting to PHP 6,100,000,000.00 to the private accounts of Edvic Yap, his affiliated enterprise similar to Eight Yoggies Manufacturing and Ever Younger Industrial Gross sales, in addition to to Eric Yap and Mark Anthony Ching.”

“As mirrored within the Software, the AMLC’s preliminary monetary investigation allegedly uncovered substantial fund transfers from Silverwolves Development Company to non-public accounts of Edvic Yap, affiliated enterprise entities, and to Eric Yap, in addition to vital reciprocal transactions with companies reportedly linked to the Yap household,” the Sandiganbayan’s stated, explaining why it granted the OSP’s request.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice and 2nd Division Chairperson Geraldine Religion Econg signed the decision, whereas Affiliate Justice Edgardo Caldona and Affiliate Justice Gener Gito concurred. – Rappler.com