The Sandiganbayan Second Division has denied the Office of the Ombudsman’s bid to remove former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a co-accused in the graft case against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
In a 12-page resolution promulgated on Aug. 3, 2026, the anti-graft court ruled that the prosecution failed to show sufficient legal grounds to exclude Bonoan from Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0004.
Estrada and Bonoan are charged with allegedly violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The prosecution had sought leave to file an amended information dated June 29, 2026, which would have removed Bonoan as an accused and paved the way for his possible discharge as a state witness.
The Sandiganbayan, however, held that granting the request at this stage of the proceedings was not warranted.
“The prosecution is not precluded from subsequently seeking accused Bonoan’s discharge as a state witness as it remains at liberty to seek his discharge at the appropriate stage of the proceedings, provided that the requisites under the rules are met,” the resolution said.
The court emphasized that its ruling does not bar the prosecution from filing a future motion to discharge Bonoan as a state witness, provided the requirements under the Rules of Court are satisfied.
It also clarified that the denial should not be construed as a ruling on Bonoan’s potential value as a witness or on the credibility and evidentiary weight of any testimony he may later provide.
“WHEREFORE, the Motion for Leave to File Amended Information (Re: Exclusion of Accused Manuel Manligas Bonoan) dated June 29, 2026 filed by the plaintiff is hereby DENIED for lack of merit,” the resolution read.
The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Edgardo M. Caldona, with Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith A. Econg and Associate Justice Gener M. Gito, sitting as special members, concurring.
With the ruling, the case will proceed with both Estrada and Bonoan remaining as co-accused unless the prosecution later secures court approval to discharge Bonoan as a state witness.