The Office of the Ombudsman is moving to drop criminal charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to utilize him as a state witness in a massive multi-billion peso flood control scam.
Bonoan currently faces a ₱573-million plunder charge, along with two counts of graft, alongside Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional officials Denryl Caesar Sanchez Cortuna, Manny Bumagat Bulusan, and Arturo Lombres Gonzales Jr.
During a press briefing on Monday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed that the prosecution has formalised a deal with Bonoan and has petitioned the Sandiganbayan to officially discharge him from the trial.
“We already have a signed agreement for the cooperation of former Secretary Manuel Bonoan to be a cooperating witness,” Remulla said.
“Pero meron na kaming standing agreement. We filed already a motion to discharge him as an accused so that he can be a witness to the prosecution,” he added.
According to Remulla, the insights and testimony provided by the former DPWH chief will be vital in bolstering the state’s prosecution against the remaining defendants.
“[It’s] something very important for us to be able to prove many cases. There are other people who will be benefitting from this testimony,” he said.