Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan answers questions after the launch of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones (BBM) project after formal Ceremonies at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in, Barangay Alas-Asin, Mariveles, Bataan on March 31, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (UPDATE) — Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan was released from police custody on Friday morning, a day after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division granted his motion for release.
Bonoan was released at around 10:35 a.m. after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) verified the anti-graft court’s release order.
CIDG-NCR chief Col. John Guiagui said the court issued the order on Thursday, but it was received by the police only at around 5 p.m. and was addressed to the PNP Health Service, not directly to the CIDG.
“So ang ginawa natin ngayong umaga ay pinuntahan natin ang Sandiganbayan for the certification na meron nga talagang release order ito,” Guiagui said.
Police also checked with the other Sandiganbayan divisions to determine whether Bonoan had any other pending cases that could prevent his release.
“Wala rin mga pending cases na hindi nakapag-bail or may non-bailable ba siyang offense na hindi naayos pa, aside from that is ready for release siya,” he added.
Bonoan then underwent a medical assessment by the PNP Health Service before he was turned over to his family.
Guiagui said the CIDG did not need to escort Bonoan after his release.
It remained unclear whether he would proceed to a private hospital or return to his residence, as the decision would be left to his family.
The release came after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division earlier excluded Bonoan as a co-accused in the plunder and graft cases involving Senator Jinggoy Estrada and other officials over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The court granted the prosecution’s request to amend the informations, effectively removing Bonoan from the two cases.
The former DPWH chief had agreed to cooperate with the government and serve as a state witness in the flood control-related cases.
Bonoan, however, remains facing a separate graft case before the Sandiganbayan Second Division.
The court earlier denied the Ombudsman’s request to drop him from that case.
He had already posted P90,000 bail for the charge, which is bailable.
Bonoan was also scheduled to attend his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Second Division at 1:30 p.m. Friday via Zoom.
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