Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan Ordered Released from Hospital Detention

The Sandiganbayan on Thursday ordered the release of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan from hospital detention. According to its resolution dated September 1, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered Bonoan's release because of its earlier ruling removing the former secretary from the list of accused in the P573 million plunder and graft cases related to the flood control scandal. Bonoan, in exchange, will serve as one of the government witnesses in its flood control-related cases. “Accordingly, the oral motion of Atty. 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,” the resolution read. The same resolution tasked Police Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service General Hospital to release Bonoan from custody “unless he is being detained for other lawful reason.” Bonoan’s counsel, Stefanie Liz Ong, moved for the release of Bonoan before the anti-graft court on Thursday, September 3. Bonoan is still facing a graft charge also in relation to the flood control mess before the Sandiganbayan's Second Division. Graft, however, is a bailable offense, and he has already posted a P90,000 bail in connection with that charge. –NB, GMA News