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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan moves Estrada, Bonoan graft arraignment to June 4

Sandiganbayan moves Estrada, Bonoan graft arraignment to June 4

Published Jun 2, 2026 06:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Estrada's camp has pending urgent motions seeking to quash the information, dismiss the case with prejudice, or, in the alternative, suspend the proceedings and remand the case for reinvestigation and completion of the preliminary investigation.
  • Meanwhile, Bonoan's counsel told the court that the former DPWH chief was not ready for arraignment due to his current health condition.
The Sandiganbayan Second Division on Tuesday, June 2, postponed the arraignment of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan in their graft case involving alleged anomalous flood control projects.
During the hearing, Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, chairperson of the anti-graft court's Second Division, reset the arraignment and pre-trial to June 4 at 1:30 p.m.
“To give full opportunity for all the accused to exercise their procedural rights prior to arraignment, the court decides to reset the arraignment scheduled today to June 4 at 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon,” Econg said.
Estrada's camp has pending urgent motions seeking to quash the information, dismiss the case with prejudice, or, in the alternative, suspend the proceedings and remand the case for reinvestigation and completion of the preliminary investigation. The motions were filed on June 1.
His counsel also asked the Sandiganbayan Second Division to allow the senator to appear in civilian attire during court proceedings.
“Considering that he voluntarily surrendered, we would like to request that he should be allowed to appear as an ordinary person and not as accused in BJMP uniform and handcuffs,” he said.
Econg asked the lawyer to formally manifest the request in writing.
Estrada's counsel also requested the anti-graft court to allow the senator to attend future hearings through video conferencing instead of appearing physically before the Sandiganbayan, citing his duties in the Senate.
Econg said the court saw no issue with such an arrangement, noting that video conferencing is already being utilized in other courts.
However, she stressed that the Sandiganbayan could not decide whether Estrada would be allowed to participate virtually in Senate proceedings.
Meanwhile, Bonoan's counsel told the court that the former Cabinet official was not ready for arraignment due to his current health condition.
Bonoan arrived at the courtroom in a wheelchair and was repeatedly attended to by Sandiganbayan medical personnel after complaining of dizziness.
Medical personnel from the Sandiganbayan monitored Bonoan during the proceedings and found that his blood pressure remained at 160/90.
He has been confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital since surrendering on Monday, June 1, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in connection with the non-bailable plunder case he faces alongside Estrada.
Bonoan's lawyer asked the court to allow his client to rest for a week.
The court subsequently granted the postponement and reset the arraignment and pre-trial to Thursday afternoon.

Related Tags

SANDIGANBAYAN GRAFT JINGGOY ESTRADA MANUEL BONOAN ARRAIGNMENT POSTPONED
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