Bonoan pleads not guilty to graft case, waives reading of charges
Former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan pleaded not guilty to graft charges related to alleged kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan. The court has moved to pretrial proceedings despite ongoing legal motions regarding his inclusion in related plunder cases.
Why it matters
The case is a significant development in Philippine anti-corruption efforts involving high-level government officials and infrastructure budget allocations.
MANILA, Philippines - Former Department of Public Works (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan pleaded not guilty on Friday to graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Second Division.
Bonoan's graft case stemmed from his alleged conspiracy with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to ensure the inclusion of flood control projects in Bulacan in the 2025 budget, where the senator allegedly received a P213.7 million kickback.
Bonoan's counsel Stephanie Ong informed the court that they would waive the former DPWH chief's right to have the formal charges read against him.
READ: Bonoan faces arraignment in remaining flood control graft case
"May we request that the reading of information be waived as we already explained it to the counsel," Ong told the court.
Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, the Second Division chairperson, took note of the request, and the prosecution did not object.
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