Former DPWH Secretary Bonoan Pleads Not Guilty to Graft Charge

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Friday pleaded not guilty to a graft charge related to the alleged conspiracy to insert allocations in the national budget for flood control projects, from which kickbacks were collected. Bonoan remained a co-accused of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in the charges pending before the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan after the tribunal in August denied the motion to exclude him as among the accused. However, he has since been discharged as a co-accused in a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division also related to the flood control scandal. The Sandiganbayan ordered Bonoan's release after he was discharged as one of the accused in the case. Plunder is a non-bailable offense. Bonoan was released from hospital detention on Friday. He had been in hospital detention since the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against him last May 29 due to multiple illnesses, including heart problems. Asked by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg on Friday if he was still sick, Bonoan replied, “I am still taking medicines, Your Honor.” The case highlights ongoing concerns in the Philippines regarding budget transparency in public works and the potential for corruption involving politicians and high-ranking officials. Such incidents have led to a series of corruption scandals in the past, underscoring the challenge of restoring public trust.