The Sandiganbayan Second Division rejects the prosecution’s bid to discharge former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan from a remaining graft case, keeping him as an accused. The court affirms its prior ruling that denies the government’s request connected to amendments related to his status in the case.
The graft charge relates to allegations that Bonoan conspired with Senator Jinggoy Estrada to secure the inclusion of flood control projects in Bulacan in the 2025 budget. The prosecution’s theory also cites an alleged P213.7 million kickback connected to Estrada. Inquirer.net reports that on Aug. 10, prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration after the Second Division denied their bid to amend the information to discharge Bonoan, which the court ultimately denied.
Across the outlets, both describe the same procedural outcome: the Sandiganbayan Second Division does not remove Bonoan from the case and instead denies the prosecutors’ attempt to have him discharged at this stage.
