Romualdez camp questions dropping of plunder charges against Bonoan

MANILA — Romualdez's legal counsel raised alarm Friday over the decision to drop plunder charges against Bonoan, asserting the move appears designed to position him as a potential witness against the congressman despite no prior testimony being offered. The development has drawn scrutiny from the lawmaker's defense team, which questioned the timing and circumstances of the charge dismissal.

According to the statement from Romualdez's legal representative, the dropping of charges against Bonoan raises concerns about the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings. The attorney noted that such prosecutorial decisions typically precede the use of individuals as witnesses in related cases.

The case marks another development in the legal challenges facing Romualdez, who has faced multiple accusations in recent months. Bonoan's potential role as a witness in the congressman's cases remains uncertain, though legal observers note that charge dismissals often signal shifting prosecution strategies.

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice have not yet publicly commented on the reasons behind the decision to drop charges against Bonoan. Romualdez's camp indicated it plans to scrutinize further developments in the case to ensure due process protections are maintained.