Prosecutors in the Philippines argue that their bid to file an amended information removing former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan from plunder and graft charges will not prejudice his co-accused. Speaking after a clarificatory hearing, Assistant State Prosecutor III Reza Casila-Derayunan said the proposed change is “just a textual change,” rather than a substantial amendment to the allegations. The prosecutors maintain that the amendment merely describes the mechanism of an act already covered in the original information, and that the adjustment should not affect the case strategy or the rights of other accused. The motion is being considered by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in Quezon City. The prosecutors’ position centers on whether the modification changes the nature of the charges sufficiently to require concerns about fairness or disruption of the proceedings for Bonoan’s co-accused. The hearing reflects the court’s review of the amendment request before deciding how the case should proceed.