Pre-trial in Jinggoy Estrada's case postponed amid Bonoan's state witness bid

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has postponed the pre-trial conference or the marking of evidence in the graft case against Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with his alleged involvement in the flood control mess.

This developed after the anti-graft court received the motion of the prosecution seeking to amend the case by removing former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan as one of the accused.

As a result, the scheduled July 1 pre-trial conference in the graft case will instead be held on July 14.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday, June 29, that they will ask the court to drop Bonoan as one of the accused in the P573-million plunder and two counts of graft cases they filed in connection with the racketeering scheme involving flood control projects.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday that Bonoan’s testimony is necessary to pin down bigger cases, including a criminal case against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

This is because of Bonoan’s frequent conversations with Romualdez and other members of Congress when it comes to the drafting of the national budget.

Estrada, on the other hand, has posted a P90,000 bail on the graft case pending against him before the Second Division.

The senator, however, remains in detention in New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City, as he is also facing a P573-million plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Estrada also posted a P90,000 bail before the Fifth Division for a separate graft case he is also facing.

Bonoan, for his part, is yet to be arraigned for any of the cases, meaning yet to enter a plea, since he remains under hospital arrest. —AOL, GMA News