Sandiganbayan puts Manuel Bonoan under hospital arrest

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan 5th Division, in a resolution made public on Friday, June 5, granted former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan’s motion to be put under hospital arrest while his plunder and graft cases are pending.

“Accordingly, the court partially grants accused Manuel Manligas Bonoan’s urgent ex abudanti ad cautelam motion to allow accused Manuel Manligas Bonoan under hospital arrest while case is pending dated June 1, 2026. Accused Bonoan is allowed to be confined at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City,” 5th Division Chairperson Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses penned.

Division members Associate Justices Maryann Corpus Mañalac and Gener Gito concurred.

The 80-year-old Bonoan said in his motion that he is suffering from usual illnesses and conditions related to his age that require “constant special medical attention.” Based on his medical certificate issued by his personal physician, the former DPWH secretary is suffering from:

• Chronic Renal Disease (stage 4)
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Gouty arthritis
• Spondylolisthesis (spinal ailment)
• Dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids)
• Prostate cancer

Apart from plunder and graft, Bonoan also faces another count of graft in the 2nd Division due to their alleged involvement in flood control insertions. His fellow accused include Senator Jinggoy Estrada and some DPWH officials.

Bonoan and Estrada were able to post bail for their 2nd Division graft case on Friday, May 29. However, they were subsequently arrested on Monday, June 1, when the 5th Division issued the warrant for plunder, a non-bailable offense, and graft.

Since June 1, Bonoan has been to two different hospitals to monitor his health. During his supposed arraignment at the 2nd Division on June 2, he arrived in a wheelchair and was assisted by doctors from the Philippine National Police and Sandiganbayan.

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“It is a temporary measure given by the Sandiganbayan. A formal medical diagnosis will be forwarded to the Sandiganbayan. He had two procedures this week to treat his heart attack,” Department of the Interior and Local Government chief Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla told Rappler.

Due to his medical condition, Bonoan has yet to be arraigned by both the 2nd and the 5th Division. – Rappler.com