Bonoan’s counsel seeks Sandigan release order after exclusion from raps

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Steffanie Ong, legal counsel for former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan, moved for the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to issue an order releasing him from government custody.

Ong made the motion during the hearing to arraign Bonoan’s co-accused, Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, on Thursday.

In response, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division Chairperson Associate Justice Zaldy Trespesses said, “We will note that and we will issue the corresponding order considering his exclusion.”

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: One of 3 Sandigan justices opposes move to drop Bonoan from plunder case

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

On Tuesday, the court granted a motion by state prosecutors to exclude Bonoan from the graft and plunder charges against him, Estrada and three former DPWH district engineers.

The move to exclude Bonoan came amid a bid by the Office of the Ombudsman to use him as a state witness in other cases related to the flood control corruption scandal.

Bonoan had been under hospital arrest since last June at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame due to several illnesses.

Estrada, then-South Manila District Engineering Office (DEO) chief Manny Bulusan, then-Quezon City 1st DEO chief Arturo Gonzales Jr. and then-North Manila DEO assistant chief Denryl Caesar Cortuna are accused of amassing a total of P573.75 million in kickbacks through projects included in the 2025 national budget. /jpv