Jamaine Punzalan

Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan arrives in a wheelchair at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on June 2, 2026, for his arraignment on graft charges involving allegedly anomalous flood control projects before the court’s Second Division. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FLOOD CONTROL- Estrada/ Bonoan

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178573285019920260602-manuel-bonoan-arraignment-graft-case-JC2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan arrives in a wheelchair at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on June 2, 2026, for his arraignment on graft charges involving allegedly anomalous flood control projects before the court’s Second Division. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Second Division denied the prosecution&#x27;s motion which sought to exclude former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Manligas Bonoan as a co-accused in the graft case involving Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over the alleged flood control kickback scheme. </p><p>The prosecution sought to remove Bonoan from the charge sheet to utilize him as a state witness in flood control cases, including the master case to defraud the national treasury against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>However, the anti-graft court said that because Estrada had already been arraigned on June 4, any substantial amendment on the charge sheet that modifies material allegations or shifts the theory from coordinated criminal action to individual liability is impermissible at this stage.</p><p>&quot;The proposed amended information removes the only co-accused and purported conspirator of accused Estrada from the case, thereby modifying the theory of criminal liability from one predicated on conspiracy to one imposing individual liability on the part of accused Estrada,&quot; said the court, chaired by Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/ex-dpwh-chief-bonoan-eyed-as-state-witness-ombudsman-1604">Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan eyed as state witness — Ombudsman </a></div><p>The court noted that altering the information would unfairly restrict the defenses available to Estrada, who is entitled to rely on the original charges to which he entered a plea.</p><p>It clarified that the denial does not prejudge Bonoan’s potential value as a possible prosecution witness, nor does it rule on the credibility or probative value of any testimony he may later give.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/ombudsman-still-trying-to-get-everything-bonoan-can-contribute-to-flood-control-case-2331">Ombudsman ‘still trying to get everything’ Bonoan can contribute to flood control case </a></div><p>The court also said the prosecution is not barred from seeking Bonoan’s discharge as a state witness at the “appropriate stage of the proceedings.”</p><p>Estrada’s camp earlier<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/14/estrada-s-camp-opposes-bid-to-drop-bonoan-from-graft-charge-1853"> opposed the bid to drop Bonoan from the charges</a>, arguing that it would prejudice the senator.</p><div></div><div><em><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zRfh2M0Ey20?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E0FQnRvHtTs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></em><br/></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan Second Division denied Monday the prosecution’s bid to amend the information to exclude former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan from the graft case over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.</p>

The Sandiganbayan Second Division denied Monday the prosecution’s bid to amend the information to exclude former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan from the graft case over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

Sandiganbayan denies Ombudsman’s bid to drop Bonoan from graft case

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Sandiganbayan denies Ombudsman’s bid to drop Bonoan from graft case

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 03, 2026 01:00 PM PHT

|

Updated August 03, 2026 02:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Bonoan

flood control

Sandiganbayan

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.