Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday stated that the dismissal of graft charges against former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan is beyond President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s authority, emphasizing the separation of powers within the government.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division previously approved the Office of the Ombudsman's request to drop Bonoan from the plunder and graft charges involving former Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Bonoan was among those accused alongside the senator in a case filed by the Ombudsman in May, which alleged a conspiracy to accumulate PHP500 million in kickbacks from flood control projects. The Ombudsman later requested the Sandiganbayan to exclude Bonoan from the charges after he showed willingness to cooperate with the agency.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed the administration's respect for the anti-graft court's decision, citing the principle of separation of powers. She reiterated that the Sandiganbayan's decision is beyond the President's jurisdiction, as the judiciary operates independently. Castro also emphasized that President Marcos believes in holding accountable all individuals responsible for the flood control controversy, regardless of their political affiliations or relationships.
Castro clarified that the Palace could not comment on the rationale behind the Sandiganbayan or the Ombudsman's decisions in Bonoan's case. However, she acknowledged that the Ombudsman might have had valid reasons for initially filing the charges and later decided Bonoan's testimony was crucial in other proceedings, potentially as a state witness.
Addressing concerns about the dismissal potentially contradicting the administration's stance on scrutinizing cases related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, Castro stated that the Ombudsman and the courts should be allowed to conduct their own evaluations. She also refrained from commenting on claims from former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's camp, which suggested the Ombudsman had already prejudged him and was searching for evidence to support a legal conclusion.
Castro affirmed that Romualdez's camp is entitled to express such views, while highlighting the right of respondents to defend themselves. She reiterated President Marcos's commitment to due process and the importance of presenting and evaluating all evidence in legal proceedings.
