The Sandiganbayan has yet to decide on the Ombudsman’s motion to make former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness.
According to reports, both the Second and Fifth Divisions of the court have yet to issue resolutions on the motion to discharge Bonoan as an accused. In late June 2026, the Ombudsman dropped the plunder charge against Bonoan involving P573 million in kickbacks from flood control projects. Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is also accused in the case.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the agency secured a signed agreement for the cooperation of the 80-year-old Bonoan, who remains hospitalized, and asked the Sandiganbayan to exclude him from the charges.
Meanwhile, on July 10, 2026, the Second Division denied Estrada’s motion for reconsideration that sought to dismiss his graft case. The court found no basis to consider the LBRMO certification, noting that Estrada’s camp failed to produce the document.
