Estrada asks court to reconsider dropping of Bonoan in plunder, graft cases

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has urged the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to reconsider its move to allow for the dropping of graft and plunder cases against former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. In a 20-page motion for reconsideration filed on Sept. 7 but only furnished to the media over the weekend, they said that the sudden dismissal of the cases against Bonoan, who was accused of plunder and graft in connection with alleged anomalies in the awarding of contracts for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) project, was premature. Estrada said that the prosecution had presented strong evidence against Bonoan, and that the court should not have allowed the dismissal of the cases without a thorough review of the evidence. He added that the dismissal of the cases against Bonoan would send the wrong message to the public, and that it would embolden other corrupt officials to continue their illicit activities. Estrada urged the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to reconsider its decision and to proceed with the trial of the cases against Bonoan. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo