Malacañang has affirmed its respect for the Sandiganbayan’s ruling removing former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a co-accused in the ongoing flood control corruption lawsuit, clarifying that the matter sits beyond the scope of executive power.
Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the anti-graft court operates independently as part of the judicial branch under the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“Kung ano po ang naging desisyon dito ng Sandiganbayan, iyan po ay hindi na po saklaw ng kapangyarihan ng ating Pangulo. Sila po ay parte ng judiciary at may separation of powers po tayong tinatawag,” Castro said.
Castro stated that the administration acknowledges the court’s prerogative to evaluate the factual and legal grounds presented before dismissing the plunder and graft charges against the former public works chief.
“So, kung ano po ang naging dahilan nila at nakita nila kung ang mga valid reasons kung bakit nila drinop ang cases laban kay dating Secretary Manny Bonoan, iyan po ay nasa pag-evaluate at pag-assess po ng nasabing Korte,” she noted.
“So iginagalang naman po ng Pangulo at administrasyon kung anuman po ang nagiging desisyon ng lahat ng Korte dito sa Pilipinas,” Castro added.
Addressing the push to designate Bonoan as a state witness, the Palace official clarified that such an initiative rests entirely within the purview of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Kung ano po ang rasyonale o dahilan ng Ombudsman dito, kung ano po ang nakita nila para i-request na maging state witness si Secretary Manny Bonoan, iyan po ay nasa kamay na po ng Ombudsman,” she explained.
Castro suggested that prosecutors may have identified crucial information that Bonoan could provide to strengthen the case, though she maintained that Malacañang remains uninvolved in the specific deliberations of either the Ombudsman or the Sandiganbayan.
“At siguro mas nakita po nila, ayoko pong pangunahan ang Ombudsman, pero mayroon sila sigurong nakita na mas kakailanganin nilang maging witness ang isang secretary o dating Secretary Manny Bonoan. But still, wala pong anumang kinalaman o anumang impormasyon kung bakit ito ang naging desisyon ng Ombudsman at ng Sandigan Bayan,” Castro said.
When asked whether the decision might spark public criticism over selective justice, Castro reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm commitment to ensuring accountability across the board, regardless of political affiliations or personal relationships.
“Ang dapat, ang lagi nating isipin na ang binitawang salita ng Pangulo ay dapat na managot ang lahat ng managot, kaalyado man, kakulay, kamag-anak, iyon po ang dapat na hindi natin kalimutan,” she concluded.