World · Philippines Bureau
Sandiganbayan Dismisses Plunder, Graft Cases Against Bonoan
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has dropped corruption and plunder charges against former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Court records show Bonoan is no longer an accused in the two cases heard before the appellate court division.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has formally dismissed plunder and graft charges against former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, according to members of the prosecution team. The decision removes Bonoan from the list of accused in both cases previously pending before the court division.
A prosecution team member confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that Bonoan no longer faces charges in the cases that had been under Fifth Division review. The dismissal marks a significant development in the long-running cases involving the former infrastructure official.
Details surrounding the basis for the dismissal and whether the decision was reached through settlement, withdrawal, or judicial ruling remain unclear. The Sandiganbayan, the country's specialized anti-corruption court, handles cases involving high-ranking government officials accused of graft and plunder.
The case had been monitored closely given Bonoan's prominent position in the cabinet during his tenure as Public Works and Highways Secretary.