Sandiganbayan justice surprised by Bonoan's long list of ailments

Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who is facing P573-million plunder and graft charges over flood control anomalies, has been hit with several ailments, the Sandiganbayan learned Thursday.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, chairperson of the anti-graft court’s Second Division, read the list of Bonoan’s illnesses based on the information provided by the police before the court.

These are diabetes, hypertension, acute coronary syndrome , chronic kidney disease , prostate cancer, and pain in the spine

“Bakit ang dami na? (Why suddenly so many?), ” Econg said.

The Justice then said that the court will ask the Philippine National Police to provide a medical update on Bonoan, who is currently confined at the Medical City in Pasig City.

The graft charge pending before the Second Division accuses Bonoan of having a hand in delivering kickbacks from flood control projects to Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Ombudsman prosecutors told that anti-graft court on Thursday that Bonoan had a hand in the commitment fees delivered to Estrada, who sought a total of P855 million funding for flood control projects in Bulacan.

Likewise, Ombudsman prosecutors accused Bonoan of having a hand in the contractors who bagged these projects.

Since the total project cost was P855 million, state prosecutors said Estrada got 25% of such amount or at least P213.7 million.—LDF, GMA News