Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has been removed as an accused in the plunder and graft cases tied to the flood‑control scandal, opening the door for him to become a state witness in the case that could ultimately jail disgraced former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dropped the charges linking Bonoan to the ₱573‑million flood‑control kickback scheme, where he was co‑accused with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. After decades inside the government’s infrastructure system, Bonoan now stands as a figure who could expose how questionable projects and transactions funneled public money into lawmakers’ pockets.
At 81, Bonoan is battling serious illnesses—including Stage IV chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer, and severe coronary artery disease. OmbudsmanBoying Remulla earlier confirmed he would be a “witness for the people,” giving the very old and very sick former DPWH chief the chance to do something honorable before he dies.
Romualdez’s camp had smeared Bonoan as “polluted” and “biased,” questioning why the Ombudsman would accept him. But investigators defiantly dropped him as an accused and placed him on the witness stand to testify against Romualdez instead.
The development piles more pressure on Romualdez, who is already facing a barrage of complaints before the Ombudsman—plunder, direct and indirect bribery, violations of the Anti‑Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and money laundering—tied to the ₱56‑billion flood‑control kickback scheme.
On Thursday, Remulla said his office is taking time to build the case against Romualdez, explaining that investigators are up against enormous financial resources, a multitude of lawyers, and an army of people on Romualdez’s payroll. He made clear they cannot risk rushing forward with a weak case. Asked point‑blank if Romualdez would “certainly” be charged, Remulla replied:
“Oo. Bakit hindi?”
With Bonoan now positioned to cooperate, Romualdez faces a new threat from a former DPWH chief who once operated inside the very system now under scrutiny. His testimony could become a defining piece in tracing how flood‑control funds were diverted, who profited, and the full extent of Romualdez’s corruption.
