Sandiganbayan rejects bid to drop Bonoan from Estrada corruption case
The Sandiganbayan court has denied a prosecution request to remove former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan from a graft case involving Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The court ruled that the change would unfairly prejudice Estrada's defense.
Why it matters
The ruling impacts the legal strategy and prosecution of high-profile corruption cases involving government infrastructure funds.
THE Sandiganbayan has denied the Office of the Ombudsman’s bid to amend the graft charge against former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. by removing former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan as a co-accused, ruling that the proposed amendment would prejudice Mr. Estrada’s right to defend himself.
In a 12-page resolution promulgated on Monday, the anti-graft court’s Second Division denied the prosecution’s motion for leave to file an amended information excluding Mr. Bonoan from the case.
The case stems from allegations that Mr. Estrada and Mr. Bonoan conspired to divert about P213.75 million in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure and flood control funds intended for projects in Bulacan, allegedly causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits to selected contractors, in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
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