Sandiganbayan allows hospital arrest for Bonoan

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has allowed former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to be confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame.

Bonoan is facing a non-bailable crime of plunder before the anti-graft court for allegedly conniving to collect some P573-M in flood control projects kickbacks.

He is currently confined at the Medical City according to his lawyers due to an angiogram procedure and had previously asked the court to allow him to stay there.

Bonoan also has multiple ailments such as diabetes, pain in the spine, among others.

In a Resolution, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said Bonoan’s illnesses are backed by medical certifications and records detailing his delicate and immunocompromised state ‘which cannot be properly treated or managed within the regular jail facilities or nearby government hospitals.’

“Accused Bonoan is allowed to be confined at the PNP (Philippine National Police) General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City,” the anti-graft court said.

The PNP General Hospital’s attending physician is directed to submit an independent medical evaluation of Bonoan.

“Pending the results of said independent examination, accused Bonoan shall remain under strict hospital arrest where he shall always remain under the effective control and custody of the Philippine National Police - Crime Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG),” the court said.

If Bonoan needs to be continuously confined, the PNP is directed to provide a bi-weekly medical progress report until he is well enough to be transferred to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City.

“As soon as the attending physician determines that it is safe to discharge accused Bonoan, the PNP-CIDG shall transfer him to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City upon orders from the court,” the court said.

In a message to reporters, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged the decision of the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.

“It is a temporary measure given by the Sandigan. A formal medical diagnosis will be forwarded to the Sandiganbayan. We will receive the full report Monday,” Remulla said.

“He had two procedures this week to treat his heart attack. [Former secretary] Bonoan is not in the best of health. The department accedes to the wisdom of the courts,” he added.

In a message to reporters, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged the decision of the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.

“It is a temporary measure given by the Sandigan. A formal medical diagnosis will be forwarded to the Sandiganbayan. We will receive the full report Monday,” Remulla said.

“He had two procedures this week to treat his heart attack. [Former secretary] Bonoan is not in the best of health. The department accedes to the wisdom of the courts,” he added. —with reports from Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News