Ex-DPWH chief walks free after plunder, graft cases dropped; eyed as state witness

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered the release of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan following the dismissal of his plunder and graft cases before the 5th Division. “Accordingly, the oral motion of Atty. [Steffanie] Ong is hereby granted. The Commitment Orders (Pending Trial) issued by this court against Manuel Manligas Bonoan in Crim. Case No. E-SB26CRM0005 and Crim. Case No. E-SB26CRM0006, dated June 19, 2026, are hereby recalled,” said a portion of the resolution dated Thursday, September 3. “Police Brigadier General Portia B. Manalad of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service General Hospital is hereby ordered to release from custody Manuel Manligas Bonoan, unless he is being detained for other lawful reason,” it added. Bonoan is facing two sets of cases before the Sandiganbayan, where Senator Jinggoy Estrada is also accused: one count of graft at the 2nd Division, and a count of plunder and graft at the 5th Division. The former DPWH chief is on bail for the 2nd Division case, while the 5th Division recently dropped the cases against Bonoan following a request from the Office of the Ombudsman. This paved the way for Bonoan’s temporary freedom. Must Read Sandiganbayan drops plunder, graft cases vs Manuel Bonoan The Ombudsman sought the junking of cases against Bonoan because he is the latest prospect to be a state witness in the multibillion flood control scandal. This bid, however, is still uncertain because while he is on bail at the 2nd Division, the said division rejected the motion that sought the dismissal of the graft case. In June, the Ombudsman announced its intention to put the former DPWH chief on the list of state witnesses. It believes that Bonoan’s testimony can pin former speaker Martin Romualdez and shed light on how lawmakers allegedly inserted allocations in the national budget through the DPWH. – Rappler.com