Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan transferred to private hospital —PNP

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan has been transferred to a private hospital, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said doctors detected elevated heart enzyme levels that raised concerns over a possible heart condition.

The PNP General Hospital (PNPGH) also lacked facilities and equipment, according to Co.

“[Bonoan] was transferred in stable condition on the evening of June 2, 2026 to a private hospital for continued management and specialized care,” Co said.

During a proceeding at the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday afternoon, Bonoan filed a motion seeking hospital arrest and returned to the PNPGH around 4 p.m.

Co said Bonoan’s blood pressure ranged from 140/70 to 168/100, which doctors considered concerning given his advanced age, underlying hypertension, elevated troponin levels, and persistently high blood pressure.

Medical findings also showed abnormal cardiac biomarker results and a possible acute coronary syndrome.

Due to this, Bonoan was initially transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the PNPGH.

Then, he was transferred from the PNPGH to a private hospital at around 11 p.m. after doctors recommended the move.

Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to maintain custody of Bonoan.

CIDG personnel were also instructed to ensure Bonoan remain under strict and constant supervision while confined at the private hospital.

Co noted there has been no approval yet on Bonoan's motion for hospital arrest, adding that the matter remains pending before the anti-graft court.

The former DPWH secretary is facing charges of plunder and two counts of graft cases filed by the Office of the Ombudsman with the Sandiganbayan over alleged anomalous flood control projects. Senator Jinggoy Estrada is one of Bonoan's co-accused.

Bonoan has posted a P90,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan Second Division on Friday to secure temporary freedom amid the pending graft charge filed against him, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg said.

However the plunder charge is non-bailable. Bonoan surrendered to authorities on Monday afternoon after the arrest warrant for the plunder charge was issued by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Bonoan was brought to the PNP General Hospital after his surrender on Monday. He was discharged Tuesday then brought to the Sandiganbayan for arraignment. However, the Sandiganbayan Second Division postponed the arraignment of Bonoan and Estrada on graft charges in connection with the alleged flood control mess to June 4, 1:30 p.m.

The former DPWH chief was returned to the PNPGH Tuesday afternoon amid his pending motion for hospital arrest.

On Wednesday, the PNP Health Service said Bonoan had 'elevated' lab results.

Bonoan has earlier denied at a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing that he received over P2 billion in kickbacks from government projects. —KG, GMA News