Court Rejects Ombudsman’s Plea to Drop Graft Case Against Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan

The Sandiganbayan on Monday denied the Office of the Ombudsman’s move to remove former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan from the graft charge filed against him in connection with the flood control corruption scandal. The ruling presented a roadblock to the Ombudsman’s plan to use Bonoan as a state witness. The Ombudsman had sought to drop the charges against Bonoan, apparently intending to utilize him as a state witness in the ongoing case. However, the anti-graft court rejected this proposal, indicating that Bonoan's alleged involvement requires further scrutiny and that he may not be merely a witness but potentially a co-accused. This decision by the Sandiganbayan underscores the court's commitment to thoroughly investigate corruption allegations, even when the prosecution seeks to streamline proceedings by using a key figure as a witness. It suggests that the court believes Bonoan's role in the alleged corruption scandal warrants his continued presence as a defendant. The flood control corruption scandal involves allegations of irregularities in the awarding of contracts and the execution of projects designed to mitigate flooding, a perennial problem in the Philippines. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for public trust in government institutions and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures. Information source: Inquirer NewsInfo