.jpg)
Ex-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan was at the Office of the Ombudsman for a meeting with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) - Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan had a meeting with the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday to give his testimony, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla earlier said Bonoan would be a state witness in graft cases connected to alleged flood control corruption.
“He's been allowed to be a witness already by the court. Siyempre, a witness has to be vetted properly. We have to ask the right questions. We have to know what the answers will be,” Remulla said in a press briefing on Friday, also calling Bonoan’s testimony “essential.”
“I will be speaking to the prosecutors very soon about this. Kasi nga, we want to go for continuous trial. Parang naman walang matutulog na kaso,” Remulla added.
Bonoan has given numerous submissions to the Office of the Ombudsman, including notes and factual backgrounds, according to Remulla.
When asked by the media for further details on the meeting, Bonoan declined to elaborate, saying he was on his way to the hospital.
“May sakit pa,” Bonoan explained.
Bonoan was previously under hospital detention due to medical conditions, including hypertension and diabetes.
Sandiganbayan says no release order yet for Bonoan
However, the Sandiganbayan granted the prosecution’s bid to discharge Bonoan as a co-accused of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in plunder and graft cases.
NBI OFFICIALS AT OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
Apart from Bonoan, officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also visited the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday.
According to Remulla, a conference was held between NBI officials and the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the obstruction of justice complaint against Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robin Padilla, among others.
The matter is under preliminary investigation.
‘THEY PROBABLY NEED A BREAK’
Regarding Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano's overseas trip, Remulla said it was likely due to the lawmakers’ need for a break.
“They probably need a break. I know that they have been under stress lately and that's what Senator Ping Lacson said, and I would follow the words of Senator Lacson,” Remulla said.
Lacson previously said if the intention was to find rest amid “distress,” he believed Alan Peter Cayetano deserved the trip.
Cayetano siblings on overseas trip — immigration bureau
Remulla said he thinks the Cayetano senators will return to the country, especially as they are with Lani Cayetano who has duties as the mayor of Taguig.
PERSONNEL RELIEVED OF POSITION
The Office of the Ombudsman relieved a staff member of their position following an investigation after supposedly failing to log Senator Robin Padilla’s counter-affidavit into the Central Records, according to Remulla.
Ombudsman personnel under probe for lapse in Padilla counter-affidavit filing
“Nilipat muna sa ibang trabaho kasi if he or they cannot carry out the duties properly, then probably, they deserve another job, not that one. Or in case they will not be dismissed,” Remulla said, adding the matter is still under deliberation.
LEGARDA, LEVISTE COUNTER-AFFIDAVITS
Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste and Senator Loren Legarda already submitted their counter-affidavits, but these were filed late, Remulla said.
The Ombudsman earlier ordered a preliminary investigation against the two officials following complaints for plunder, graft, and conflict of interest involving Leviste’s solar firm.
Remulla stressed that they would still take the counter-affidavit into consideration despite the late submission.
“We're not gonna get them out of any technicality. We will still consider the counter-affidavit para due process. Walang masasabi… Ang problema, paano ‘yan ‘pag may questions kami? Asaan sila?” Remulla asked.
When asked about their whereabouts, Remulla replied, “Paris pa rin ‘yung alam namin. Pero napupunta rin sila ng, alam ko Switzerland.”
As for complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman, Remulla said these are under fact-finding investigation.
FRANCE VISIT
Remulla added that he would visit France between late October and mid-November to talk to authorities there, adding he does not want Europe to become a “money laundering center.”
“Then probably Interpol–we will also touch base… I mean probably the EU kung kaya namin kausapin, kasi isang biyahe, mahabang biyahe, might as well have the meeting set up para makausap na lahat. ‘Yung EU, ’cause we don't want Europe to be a laundering center, a money laundering center,” Remulla said.
“If they're not welcome in France, isang car ride lang ‘yan. Nasa kabilang bansa na naman ‘yan. So we also have to talk to the EU para huwag ho doon. Huwag ho silang maging taguan ng nakaw na yaman,” Remulla added.
Remulla said that he is asking officials from the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to be present when his office speaks with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“Mabuti na ‘yung people who report to each other are there with us,” Remulla said.
Remulla previously said that the Philippines did not want France to become a hiding place for some officials facing graft allegations.
Ex-DPWH Secretary Bonoan released from detention
RELATED VIDEO