Bonoan still reviewing plunder case

FORMER Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan on Monday said he has yet to fully review the allegations against him, as the Department of Justice (DoJ) commenced preliminary hearings on high-profile plunder cases linked to the flood control scam.

“It’s quite serious — it’s plunder, and I have to study it very well,” Mr. Bonoan told reporters in an ambush interview. He said he would remain in the Philippines for the investigation but is awaiting the schedule of his wife’s medical procedure in mid-February.

Mr. Bonoan is listed as a co-respondent in plunder complaints submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Justice Department spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said the ongoing cases also involve former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada.

Mr. Revilla and Mr. Estrada did not attend Monday’s preliminary hearing. They received the complaints and supporting documents through their legal representatives.

“They are scheduled to appear at the next hearing for submission of their counter-affidavits,” Mr. Martinez said. The DoJ granted the NBI additional time to submit further documents supporting the complaint, with the next deadline set for Feb. 12, 2026. Respondents, including Mr. Bonoan, can only file their counter-affidavits after these documents are submitted. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Martinez said that three tax evasion complaints against Pacifico “Curlee” F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” C. Discaya, filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, have been dismissed. The cases, which involved the alleged nonpayment of taxes on six luxury vehicles, were dropped after prosecutors determined that the couple were “end-consumers” rather than the actual importers legally liable for the excise duties.

Mr. Martinez earlier added that, while the excise tax issues were cleared, two other cases against the spouses have already been filed with the Court of Tax Appeals. These cases involve alleged violations of the National Internal Revenue Code, specifically for failing to provide truthful information in the 2020 and 2021 income tax returns for their respective businesses. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking