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Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan seeks release from custody; Sandiganbayan hears co-accused Estrada's arraignment
Lawyers for former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan have asked the Sandiganbayan to release him from custody, a move made during the arraignment hearing of his co-accused, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, for graft charges.
MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Steffanie Ong, legal counsel for former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan, moved for the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to issue an order releasing him from government custody. Ong made the motion during the hearing to arraign Bonoan’s co-accused, Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, on Thursday. Ong argued before the court that Bonoan meets the requirements for bail and should not be detained. Estrada is facing graft and corruption charges for allegedly receiving bribes in exchange for approving anomalous contracts during his tenure as DPWH secretary from 2007 to 2010. This case is part of ongoing efforts to combat corruption in the Philippines, a persistent issue that has seen numerous high-ranking officials face charges. Bonoan's lawyer stated that his release would not impede his cooperation with the ongoing legal proceedings. Corruption within government agencies has long been a challenge in the Philippines, eroding public trust. The public works sector, in particular, is often cited as a vulnerable area due to the large sums of money involved in projects. The outcome of this trial is keenly watched as an indicator of the effectiveness of the Philippine judicial system and its anti-corruption measures.
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Inquirer NewsInfo