No ruling yet to make Bonoan state witness
The Sandiganbayan court has yet to rule on a motion to make former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness in a plunder case. Meanwhile, the court continues to move forward with graft charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
Why it matters
This legal development is part of a high-profile anti-corruption effort involving senior government officials in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has yet to decide on the motion filed by the Office of the Ombudsman to make former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness.
Both the anti-graft court's Second and Fifth Divisions have yet to issue resolutions on the ombudsman's motion to discharge Bonoan as an accused, according to information that reached reporters.
In late June 2026, the ombudsman announced it was dropping the plunder charge against Bonoan over alleged taking of kickbacks worth P573 million from flood control projects. Also accused in the said case is detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed his agency "secured a signed agreement" for the cooperation of the 80-year-old Bonoan, who remains hospitalized, and asked the Sandiganbayan to exclude him from the charges, according to earlier reports.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in