Bonoan pleads not guilty to graft in flood scam
Former Philippine Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan has pleaded not guilty to a graft charge related to a flood control scandal. This follows the dismissal of separate plunder and graft cases against him.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing high-level corruption investigations within the Philippine government's infrastructure projects.
MANILA, Philippines - Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Friday pleaded not guilty to a graft case, hours after he was released following the dismissal of two separate cases of plunder and graft in connection with the flood control scandal.
Bonoan's counsel Stephanie Ong entered the plea during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan's Second Division, which is chaired 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.
The Second Division earlier denied a motion by Ombudsman prosecutors to amend the information to discharge Bonoan.
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