OCA CIRCULAR NO. 221-2016, October 17, 2016

In view of the recurring problem involving the issuance of Hold- Departure Orders (HDOs) with incomplete information, which hinders the efficient implementation of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and acting on the letter-request dated 22 June 2016 of BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente, all second level court judges are hereby MANDATED to observe the guidelines set forth in Circular No. 39-97, which state: 

3. The Hold-Departure Order shall contain the following information:  

a. The complete name (including the middle name), the date and place of birth and the place of last residence of the person against whom a Hold-Departure Order has been issued or whose departure from the country has been enjoined;

b. The complete title and docket number of the case in which the Hold-Departure Order was issued;

c. The specific nature of the case; and

d. The date of the Hold-Departure Order.

If available, a recent photograph of the person against whom a Hold-Departure Order has been issued or whose departure from the country has been enjoined should also be included. (Emphasis supplied.)

Complainants and prosecutors are likewise required to provide all the necessary information in their petitions for the issuance of HDO. Failure to observe the aforementioned guideline requirements may be a ground for the denial of the same.

For strict compliance.

17 October 2016