MANILA - Former vice president Jejomar Binay and his son, former Makati City mayor Junjun Binay, are asking for the Sandiganbayan's permission for their pilgrimage trip to Israel.

In separate motions, the Binays said they will travel to Israel for a "spiritually-charged pilgrimage" from May 15 to 29, 2017.

The elder Binay said they will join the pilgrimage led by Father Francis Gustilo, who is also his spiritual facilitator in bible meetings every Tuesday.

"It is very important to note that (Binay Sr.) is almost 75 years old and is a family man. (Binay Sr.) believes that this pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an exceptional case for a devout Catholic," the former vice-president’s motion read.

He added that the request to travel "is in line with the state policy, where the state gives importance to the sanctity of family and shall protect the same."

The Binays need the Sandigabayan's permission to travel abroad because of a standing hold departure order (HDO) issued against them in connection to their graft, malversation and falsification charges over the allegedly anomalous bidding and procurement of the P2.8 billion Makati City Hall Building.

The HDO bars them from leaving the country without prior permission from the court.

The former vice president's wife, Elenita Binay, will also join the pilgrimage. Mrs. Binay, who also faces separate graft cases before the Sandiganbayan, has yet to file a motion to travel.