MANILA - The Sandiganbayan on Friday issued a hold departure order (HDO) against former Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito and eight other individuals over an allegedly anomalous insurance deal in 2008.

The anti-graft court issued the order after the case was raffled to its Fourth Division on Friday morning.

The questioned insurance plans for tourists and boatmen in Pagsanjan, Laguna were signed when Ejercito was still mayor of the town.

Ejercito is accused of conspiring with then-municipal vice mayor and councilors in entering into an agreement with First Rapids Care Ventures (FRCV) for the accidental protection and financial assistance for Pagsanjan tourism zones, even without prior bidding.

The anti-graft court clarified that the HDO does not prohibit, but only restricts, the respondents' travel abroad.

This means the disqualified Laguna governor and his co-accused are not totally banned from leaving the country, but would just need to seek travel permission from the court.

Meanwhile, six of Ejercito's co-accused have already posted P30,000-bail each on Friday, including former councilors Erwin Sacluti, Arlyn Torres, Gener Dimaranan, Marilyn Bruel, and Kalahi Rabago, and FRCV owner Marilyn Bruel.

Ejercito was the mayor of Pagsanjan town from 2001 to 2010 before he was elected governor of Laguna.

He was disqualified in 2014 for campaign overspending during the 2013 elections.

The Supreme Court affirmed Ejercito's disqualification in February 2015.

He is making another run for Laguna governor in the May 9 elections.

READ: Di na ako gagastos: ER Ejercito eyes another run as Laguna gov