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Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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Inquirer·Philippines·

Counsel: Estrada to testify in his graft case; Hernandez will be hostile witness

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John Eric C. Mendoza

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said that he will pursue all available legal remedies after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dropped former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a coaccused in the plunder case.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (File photo from GRIG MONTEGRANDE / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada himself will testify in his graft case trial before the Sandiganbayan Second Division, his counsel told the court during the pretrial proceedings on Tuesday.

Estrada’s graft case stemmed from his alleged conspiracy with former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan to ensure the inclusion of flood control projects in Bulacan in the 2025 budget where the senator allegedly got a P213.7 million kickback.

Estrada is among the six witnesses who will be presented once it is the turn of the defense to present its evidence.

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The senator’s counsel also said the defense will present Brice Hernandez, former DPWH assistant district engineer of Bulacan first district engineering office (DEO), as a “hostile witness.”

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In a House inquiry last year, Hernandez testified that Estrada received a 30-percent “kickback” after he maneuvered to allocate P355 million in the 2025 national budget for flood control projects in Bulacan.

Estrada previously denied such claims as he filed perjury complaint aginst Hernandez, which was later dismissed by the Quezon City prosecutors’ office.

Bonoan’s counsel said they only have one witness to present — the former DPWH chief himself.

For its part, the prosecution will present 34 witnesses on the trial.

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This includes state witnesses and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former Bulacan 1st DEO district engineer Henry Alcantara.

The court sets the beginning of the trial on November 13 and every Mondays and Fridays thereafter.

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Bonoan appeared in the pretrial proceedings personally, while Estrada attended through teleconferencing.

Estrada has been jailed in the New Quezon City jail due to his nonbailable plunder case in the Fifth Division over alleged kickbacks worth P573 million, according to prosecutors. /apl

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