MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration confirmed Wednesday that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan left the Philippines for the United States to accompany his wife for a medical procedure, despite being under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).

Immigration officials detected Bonoan's departure at the airport Tuesday and immediately notified the Department of Justice (DOJ), which had previously issued the ILBO against the former Cabinet official. However, authorities allowed him to leave the country after confirming that no hold departure order or arrest warrant had been issued against him.

"He is covered by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) earlier issued by the Department of Justice. Upon encounter, immigration officers immediately coordinated with the DOJ to verify if a hold departure order or warrant of arrest was in effect. The DOJ confirmed that none exists, hence he was cleared to depart," the Bureau of Immigration stated.

The ILBO against Bonoan stems from ongoing investigations into allegedly anomalous flood control projects during his tenure at the DPWH. 

An ILBO serves as a monitoring mechanism that alerts authorities when a person of interest attempts to leave the country, but unlike a hold departure order, it does not prevent travel.

The distinction between these immigration measures proved crucial in Bonoan's case. While the ILBO flagged his departure to authorities, the absence of more restrictive legal orders meant immigration officials had no grounds to prevent him from traveling abroad for his wife's medical treatment.

The former DPWH chief's departure highlights the limitations of ILBOs in restricting the movement of individuals under investigation but not yet formally charged with any crime. 

The case underscores the procedural requirements that must be met before authorities can legally prevent Filipino citizens from exercising their constitutional right to travel.  - via Dante Amento

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