The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered the release of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan after he was removed as an accused in the graft and plunder cases filed against Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
In an order issued Thursday, September 3, the anti-graft court granted the oral motion presented in open court by Bonoan’s lawyer, Stefanie Liz Ong.
The court formally recalled the pending-trial commitment orders previously issued against Bonoan in connection with the two criminal cases.
“ACCORDINGLY, the oral motion of Atty. Ong is hereby GRANTED. The Commitment Orders (Pending Trial) issued by this court against Manuel Manligas Bonoan in Crim. Case No. E-SB26CRM0005 and Crim. Case No. E-SB26CRM0006, dated June 19, 2026, are hereby RECALLED,” the court said.
Following the ruling, the Fifth Division instructed Police Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service General Hospital to release Bonoan, provided he was not being held for another valid legal reason.
“Police Brigadier General Portia B. Manalad of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service General Hospital is hereby ordered to RELEASE from custody Manuel Manligas Bonoan, UNLESS HE IS BEING DETAINED FOR OTHER LAWFUL REASON,” the order read.
The Sandiganbayan explained that its decision stemmed from a resolution promulgated on September 1, in which it approved the prosecution’s request to file amended informations removing Bonoan from the list of accused.
The amended charges involve two separate cases: Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0005, concerning alleged violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0006, involving Republic Act No. 7080, or the Plunder Law.
Bonoan’s removal from the cases came after the Office of the Ombudsman sought his cooperation in investigations into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
In June, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla disclosed that the government had entered into an agreement with the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary.
Under the arrangement, Bonoan would cooperate with authorities and provide testimony for the prosecution in connection with the investigations.