MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that it is up to the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) to decide whether Sen. Jinggoy Estrada can leave the country during Holy Week.

The DOJ’s statement came after reports that Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan for permission to travel for a “personal trip,” despite a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him by Manila RTC Branch 52 in February.

“That’s an issue that has to be resolved by the judiciary. We presume that the Manila RTC acted with jurisdiction in the issuance of the PHDO. The PHDO is a court order. As a court order, it can be revoked by order of the same court that issued it,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a message to reporters.

Martinez added that the DOJ considers Estrada a flight risk and will oppose any motion to lift the PHDO.

“Yes, kung saan po na file ang motion (in the court where the motion was filed by Estrada). If and when the Sandiganbayan orders us to comment,” he said.

Estrada, along with several Department of Public Works and Highways officials, including former secretary Manuel Bonoan, faces plunder charges filed before the DOJ by the National Bureau of Investigation over allegedly anomalous flood control projects.