The camp of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez suggested that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan could be facing pressure to testify in a multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
Romualdez spokesperson Ade Fajardo stated that Bonoan, who is over 80 years old and receiving treatment at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Quezon City for hypertensive vascular disease and chronic kidney disease, may feel pressure ahead of a possible transfer to regular jail once medically cleared.
Fajardo noted surprise at reports that the Ombudsman plans to use Bonoan’s testimony against Romualdez, pointing out that the former secretary had not implicated the former House Speaker in the year since the scandal emerged in July 2025.
Romualdez has been accused of budget manipulation linked to the project, though his camp maintains that no evidence connects him to the matter. Lawyer Elaine Atienza said on July 2 that links to Romualdez lack support, as the former Speaker had no total control over the budget process.
