Bonoan pleads not guilty to graft charges in flood control case
Former Philippine Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan has pleaded not guilty to graft charges related to an alleged flood control project scandal. Bonoan was recently released from hospital confinement following the dismissal of separate plunder and graft cases.
Why it matters
The case involves high-level government corruption allegations, reflecting ongoing efforts to address public sector accountability in the Philippines.
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in file photo. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Friday pleaded not guilty to a graft charge, hours after his release following the dismissal of separate plunder and graft cases linked to the flood control scandal.
Bonoan’s lawyer, Stephanie Ong, entered the plea during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Second Division, presided over by Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg.
The graft case links him to an alleged conspiracy with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to include flood control projects in the 2025 budget, from which Estrada allegedly got a P213.7-million kickback.
READ: 1 of 3 Sandigan justices objects to dropping Bonoan from plunder case
The Second Division earlier denied a motion by Ombudsman prosecutors to amend the information to discharge Bonoan.
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