The Office of the Ombudsman has accepted former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan as a state witness in its corruption investigation targeting ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the decision was made to strengthen the case with insider details from Bonoan. The move comes after Bonoan offered cooperation in a letter sent about three weeks before June 30.
The Ombudsman filed plunder and graft charges against Bonoan with the Sandiganbayan on May 28. Bonoan had faced accusations of receiving kickbacks from projects funded by illegal budget insertions during his time as DPWH secretary.
Clavano explained that Bonoan approached investigators and can describe how lawmakers inserted allocations in the national budget for favored projects. He noted Bonoan was present during relevant discussions with congressmen and Cabinet secretaries.
The assistant ombudsman called it a hard decision to drop Bonoan as a defendant but cited his age, illnesses, and value as an insider. Bonoan was placed under hospital arrest after surrendering on June 1 and being hospitalized for hypertension.
