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

2026-03-03 - 11:24

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Benguet Representative Eric Yap and resigned ACT-CIS Representative Edvic Yap – barring them from flying out of the country – due to the flood control corruption scandal. “Let a Precautionary Hold Departure Order be issued against respondents Representative Eric Go Yap and Edvic Go Yap pursuant to Rule VIII, Section 3 of the 2018 Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan, in relation to A.M. No. 18-07-05-SC,” the Sandiganbayan’s 2nd Division said in an order dated March 3. Must Read Congressman Edvic Yap, implicated in flood control scandal, resigns A PHDO is a relatively new mechanism that, if granted by a court, can bar overseas travel. It allows prosecutors to ask for a hold departure order (HDO) even if the investigation is at the complaint level only. Before the PHDO’s approval in 2018, only an HDO could prevent overseas travel. However, an HDO can only be invoked when there’s already a case filed before a court, so things were more difficult for prosecutors before. In this case, the Office of the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) applied for the PHDO issuance against the Yaps due to their alleged “possible participation” in malversation of public funds and alleged violation of Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act. The OSP’s application is anchored on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) complaint filed with the Ombudsman on October 23, 2025 against 13 officials of the DPWH La Union 2nd District Engineering Office, Silverwolves Construction Corporation, and other unnamed parties. According to the complaint, the two flood control projects amounting to P89 million each, which were awarded to Silverwolves, were improperly reported as 100%. The contractor also allegedly received full payment of the contract price. The OSP, citing a Court of Appeals resolution, said the Yaps have alleged connection to Silverwolves: “The AMLC also discovered that Silverwolves made significant fund transfers amounting to PHP 6,100,000,000.00 to the personal accounts of Edvic Yap, his affiliated business such as Eight Yoggies Manufacturing and Ever Young Industrial Sales, as well as to Eric Yap and Mark Anthony Ching.” “As reflected in the Application, the AMLC’s preliminary financial investigation allegedly uncovered substantial fund transfers from Silverwolves Construction Corporation to personal accounts of Edvic Yap, affiliated business entities, and to Eric Yap, as well as significant reciprocal transactions with corporations reportedly linked to the Yap family,” the Sandiganbayan’s said, explaining why it granted the OSP’s request. Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice and 2nd Division Chairperson Geraldine Faith Econg signed the resolution, while Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona and Associate Justice Gener Gito concurred. – Rappler.com