Sandiganbayan Clears Manuel Bonoan From Plunder Case, Paving Way for State Witness Role

 

The Sandiganbayan has removed former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan from the plunder and graft cases tied to the alleged corruption in flood control projects, a development that could place him in a position to cooperate with prosecutors as a state witness.

The ruling came after the prosecution asked the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division to drop Bonoan as an accused. The move was supported by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said Bonoan could provide testimony relevant to corruption cases being prepared against former House speaker Martin Romualdez.

Bonoan had originally faced one plunder charge and two counts of graft over allegations involving approximately P573 million in kickbacks connected to flood control projects. His removal from the cases before the Fifth Division significantly changes his legal position. He now remains subject to a separate, bailable graft case being handled by the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division.

The distinction is particularly significant because the Second Division had earlier rejected the prosecution’s attempt to exclude Bonoan, finding insufficient basis for the request at the time. With the Fifth Division now granting the motion, however, Bonoan could potentially secure temporary freedom from his hospital arrest at the PNP General Hospital because he has already posted bail in the remaining case.

The prosecution had sought to narrow one of the graft cases by identifying Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as the sole accused. Estrada is alleged to have received P213.75 million, equivalent to 25 percent of purported kickbacks from two Department of Public Works and Highways projects in Bulacan.

Earlier allegations indicated that Bonoan and Estrada allegedly coordinated to facilitate budget insertions connected to the projects. Bonoan’s possible transition from accused to cooperating witness could therefore provide prosecutors with additional testimony as they pursue broader corruption cases.

Remulla has specifically linked Bonoan’s potential testimony to cases being developed against Romualdez. The former speaker, however, has denied wrongdoing, while his camp has accused the Ombudsman of pressuring Bonoan to produce evidence against him, particularly concerning alleged irregularities in the budget process.

The controversy gained further political significance after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during his July State of the Nation Address that criminal charges were being prepared against Romualdez. Marcos also said he would not intervene in the proceedings.

Meanwhile, allegations surrounding the supposed delivery of cash kickbacks to Romualdez have faced setbacks. Several former Marines who had previously accused themselves of transporting suitcases containing alleged kickback money have since withdrawn those accusations.

Bonoan’s exclusion from the Fifth Division cases does not amount to a finding that the underlying allegations are false or that other accused officials are cleared. Instead, it reflects a prosecutorial strategy in which an individual facing charges may be removed from a particular case to potentially assist the government in pursuing wider corruption investigations.