MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan on Monday denied the prosecution’s bid to amend the information to exclude former Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan from graft charges in connection with the alleged corruption tied to the government’s flood control projects.
The denial, however, does not prejudge the potential of Bonoan to act as a state witness or affect the value of whatever testimony he may give related to the purported kickback scheme from flood control projects.
“The prosecution is not precluded from subsequently seeking accused Bonoan’s discharge as a state witness as it remains at liberty to seek his discharge at the appropriate stage of the proceedings, provided that the requisites under the rules are met,” the court’s Second Division said in its resolution.
Bonoan is facing a non-bailable P573 million plunder charge alongside Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for allegedly receiving kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman sought sought to discharge Bonoan as a respondent in a bid to turn the former DPWH chief into a state witness. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said Bonoan’s testimony may be used to strengthen cases against other suspects in the flood control scam.
