Ombudsman to seek discharge of ex-DPWH chief Bonoan as state witness

OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced that his office will formally ask the Sandiganbayan to discharge former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan from the criminal cases filed against him.

The move comes as part of an agreement where Bonoan is set to serve as a state witness in the investigation into alleged kickbacks amounting to P573 million from flood control projects. Remulla confirmed that the former official has agreed to cooperate fully with the prosecution to help establish the facts behind the transactions.

Bonoan is currently facing a non-bailable plunder charge and two counts of graft in connection with the fund irregularities. He stands as a co-accused alongside Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former DPWH NCR Assistant District Engineer Denryl Caesar Sanchez Cortuna, and District Engineers Manny Bumagat Bulusan and Arturo Lombres Gonzales Jr. The cases are pending before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, which centers on allegations that public funds intended for flood control programs were diverted through the collection of illegal commissions.

According to Remulla, the request to discharge Bonoan will be submitted to the court so he can be granted immunity and allowed to testify against his former co-accused. Earlier this month, the anti-graft court approved Bonoan’s request to be placed under hospital arrest and confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame. The Ombudsman emphasized that turning Bonoan into a cooperating witness is a strategic step to strengthen the prosecution’s case and ensure that all those responsible for the alleged corruption are held accountable.