Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Second Division has denied for lack of merit the Office of the Ombudsman’s motion to withdraw charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan in a bid to turn him into a state witness in the ongoing flood control scandal.
“At this stage of the proceedings, the Court finds that the exclusion of accused Bonoan would unduly restrict the defenses available to accused [Jinggoy] Estrada,” the graft court ruled in a resolution dated Monday, August 3.
Bonoan is a co-accused in the plunder and graft charges lodged against Senator Jinggoy Estrada over alleged illegal budget insertions in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla previously stated that his office had a standing agreement with Bonoan to discharge him as a state witness due to his direct knowledge of the multi-billion-peso flood control scheme.
READ: Ombudsman wants ex-DPWH chief Bonoan to turn state witness in flood control mess
Addressing the Ombudsman’s request, the graft court emphasized that keeping Bonoan as a co-accused is necessary to ensure a comprehensive trial.
“Accused Bonoan’s participation as a co-accused may bear upon the presentation of evidence, the determination of the parties’ respective roles, and the full ventilation of the issues surrounding the alleged offense,” the court wrote.
“This, however, does not prejudge accused Bonoan’s potential value as a possible witness for the prosecution, nor does it pass upon the credibility or probative weight of any testimony he may give later on,” the resolution added.
The Sandiganbayan clarified that the prosecution may still seek Bonoan’s discharge at a later stage, provided the motion is filed at the appropriate time during proceedings and satisfies the requirements set under the rules of court.
