Former Public Works Secretary Bonoan Becomes State Witness in Flood Control Cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is dropping charges against former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan, as it seeks to utilize him as a state witness in the flood control cases. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday confirmed that his office has secured a signed agreement for Bonoan’s cooperation and has formally filed a motion before the Sandiganbayan to discharge him as an accused. Bonoan is currently facing a non-bailable P573-million plunder charge alongside Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over the alleged pocketing of flood control funds. The ombudsman stressed that the 80-year-old former Cabinet official’s institutional knowledge is crucial for the prosecution’s ongoing case build-up against other officials. “There are other people who will be benefiting from his testimony with regard to the many cases we are filing,” Remulla said. Bonoan’s deteriorating health also played a major role in the prosecution’s decision, the ombudsman added. The former public works chief is currently under “hospital arrest” at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Quezon City due to multiple serious medical conditions. “His health is of concern to us and we want to be able to perpetuate his testimony as soon as possible. That’s why it’s important to us that he be discharged already,” Remulla explained, adding that the goal is to avoid the “inordinate delay of justice.” “The tactic here and what we’re trying to do is finish the cases as early as possible... As long as the evidence is here, we will lay them out when we’re ready,” he said. Alongside the developments in Bonoan’s case, Remulla disclosed that charges will soon be filed before the Sandiganbayan against a “cong-tractor” – a colloquial term for congressmen who illegally act as government contractors. He noted that eight other House lawmakers are currently undergoing preliminary investigation primarily for conflict of interest and anomalies tied to flood control projects. Remulla pointed out that these lawmakers will be facing charges for violating Sections 3(e) and 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. On the preliminary investigations against Sens. Joel Villanueva and Francis Escudero, he said both are ongoing, with Escudero’s case nearing completion. Escudero is now facing a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, where he is being tagged as “master plunderer” in the flood control scam. He denied this in a counter-affidavit. Villanueva, meanwhile, is facing multiple flood control allegations, including violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Reform Act. The charges also include malversation of public funds through the falsification of public documents, direct bribery and corruption of public officials. At the same time, Malacañang hoped that critics would also recognize the government’s gains in running after flood control culprits, after some groups claimed that those who benefited from corruption schemes have not been held to account. During the “White Ribbon March” in EDSA on Sunday, civil society groups demanded that those who stole public funds be punished and called on Filipinos to support efforts to promote transparency and accountability. Some protesters also claimed that no “big fish” has been caught nearly a year since President Marcos ordered a probe into the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. However, Palace press officer Claire Castro maintained that the Marcos administration has accomplished a lot in combating corruption. “Perhaps it would be better if they look at the updates on the investigations conducted by the administration,” Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “We hope they will see these and they should not claim that the government did nothing because in less than a year, a lot more has been done compared to the previous administrations,” she added. Castro said cases have been filed while two senators tied to questionable projects are undergoing trial. The assets of some persons linked to the scam have been frozen while the licenses of nine firms linked to the Discayas have been revoked. Data from the website of the Government Procurement Policy Board showed that 112 firms have been blacklisted, 12 of them involved in projects of the public works department. Castro reiterated that Marcos wants to rectify the abuses that led to irregularities. “Because of the flood control mess, the administration, especially the DBM (Department of Budget and Management), will ensure that release of funds will be done properly,” Castro said. — Alexis Romero