Guidelines for Hold Departure Orders

The Supreme Court issued Circular No. 39-97 on June 19, 1997, to regulate Hold Departure Orders (HDOs) issued by Regional Trial Courts (RTCs).
The Circular sets mandatory requirements that must be present in every RTC-issued HDO.

The HDO must include the following information:
1. Complete name of the person affected, including middle name.
2. The date of birth of the person.
3. The place of last residence of the person.
4. The complete title and docket number of the judicial case related to the HDO.
5. A clear specification of the nature of the case.
6. The date the HDO was issued.
Where available, a recent photograph of the person subject to the HDO should also be attached.

The Bureau of Immigration shall not implement any HDO that fails to comply with the strict requirements of Supreme Court Circular No. 39-97.
Compliance with these requirements respects the constitutional right to travel while balancing law enforcement interests.

The guidelines were adopted through a Bureau of Immigration Memorandum Order (No. ADD-03-004) dated February 17, 2003.
The order took effect immediately upon adoption.
The issuance and enforcement rest on the authority of the Bureau Commissioner, Andrea D. Domingo.