The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday reset the arraignment and pre-trial of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth ₱573 million.
The proceedings, which were supposed to be held before the anti-graft court’s Second Division, were moved to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, after the court granted requests from the defense.
Estrada’s lawyers asked the court to defer the arraignment pending the resolution of several pleadings, including an omnibus motion to quash the information and a motion for reinvestigation.
The defense argued that the court should first rule on the validity of the charges before the case proceeds to trial.
Bonoan’s camp, meanwhile, sought the postponement due to health concerns, citing his hypertension.
Court medical personnel examined the former DPWH chief and recorded his blood pressure at 160/90, prompting the court to take his condition into consideration.
The Sandiganbayan reset the proceedings to allow the resolution of the pending motions and address the medical concerns raised before the court.