By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan will testify for the government in cases involving alleged corruption in flood-control projects after the Sandiganbayan approved his discharge as a co-accused, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday.
Remulla confirmed that Bonoan will serve as a prosecution witness after the anti-graft court granted the government’s request to remove him as a co-accused of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in plunder and graft cases involving alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects.
“Well, he will be a witness. He will be a witness for the people, para sa taumbayan,” Remulla said.
The Office of the Ombudsman had sought Bonoan’s discharge, arguing that his former position at the Department of Public Works and Highways placed him in a unique position to explain how flood-control projects were identified during agency planning and subsequently incorporated into legislative appropriations.
The prosecution said Bonoan could provide information on the process linking project planning within the agency to the inclusion of projects in government appropriations.
Estrada had opposed the government’s motion, arguing that removing Bonoan as an accused would alter the prosecution’s theory of the cases and affect his available defenses.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman said 166 additional cases related to the flood-control controversy remain under preliminary investigation. The agency is also conducting lifestyle checks on 107 government officials and employees.
Bonoan remains hospitalized
Bonoan remains in stable condition while awaiting the release order from the Sandiganbayan, according to the Philippine National Police.
PNP spokesperson Police Col. Allan Rae Co said Bonoan was still at the PNP General Hospital and was believed to be recovering while waiting for the court’s official order.
“Nandiyan pa po siya at siguro nagpapagaling pa rin,” Co said.
PNP General Hospital Internal Medicine chief Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani earlier reported that Bonoan was clinically stable and continues to take maintenance medication.
During the Senate Finance Committee’s budget hearing on Thursday, Remulla also disclosed that 35 flood-control-related cases are already before the courts—31 before the Sandiganbayan and four before regional trial courts.
ia/xf
