Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan back to PNPGH amid hospital arrest appeal

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan returned to the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) Tuesday afternoon amid his pending motion for hospital arrest.

From Sandiganbayan, the ambulance carrying Bonoan arrived at the PNPGH around 4 p.m.

Earlier around 1 p.m., personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) picked up Bonoan from the hospital and transported him to Sandiganbayan for arraignment.

However, the proceedings for Bonoan, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and others have been reset to June 4 due to pending motions over the P573-million plunder and graft charges in connection with the flood control mess.

Later on Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division confirmed that Bonoan has filed a motion asking for hospital arrest amid the pending criminal charges against him.

The anti-graft court received Bonoan’s motion for hospital arrest less than 24 hours after he was confined at the PNPGH due to high blood pressure.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bonoan appeared before the Sandiganbayan Second Division, seated in a wheelchair, for a separate graft case also in connection with the flood control mess.

The PNP medical team told the anti-graft court that based on their assessment, the 80-year-old former DPWH chief is suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. They also said Bonoan should be further examined by a cardiologist over an old ailment.

Bonoan’s blood pressure was checked at least twice by the anti-graft court’s doctors when he faced the Sandiganbayan Second Division.

In a resolution dated June 1, 2026, the Fifth Division of the Sandiganbayan found probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the following:

• Senator Jinggoy Estrada
• former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan
• DPWH NCR Assistant District Engineer Denryl Caesar Sanchez Cortuna
• DPWH NCR District Engineer Manny Bumagat Bulusan
• DPWH NCR District Engineer Arturo Lombres Gonzales, Jr.

All of them are now in custody after their arrest and surrender.

After booking procedures on Monday, the accused except for Bonoan were transferred to the Sandiganbayan and later detained.

The former DPWH chief stayed overnight at the PNPGH after suffering from hypertension, according to the PNPGH.

Bonoan has been issued a medical clearance on Tuesday after returning to stable condition. — BAP/JMA, GMA News