'Why so many?': Sandiganbayan justice taken aback by Bonoan's medical conditions
By Jel Santos
At A Glance
- The Sandiganbayan learned of Bonoan's medical condition when Econg read before the court the illnesses listed in information provided by the police.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/MB PHOTO)
Taken aback by the lengthy list of medical conditions of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Sandiganbayan Second Division Chairperson Justice Geraldine Faith Econg could not help but ask: “Bakit ang dami? (Why so many?)”
The remark came during the arraignment of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada and Bonoan in a graft case on Thursday afternoon, June 4.
The Sandiganbayan learned of Bonoan’s medical condition when Econg read before the court the illnesses listed in information provided by the police.
She enumerated Bonoan’s medical conditions, which included acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, CKD or chronic kidney disease, carcinoma, prostate cancer, and spine pain.
Per Bonoan’s lawyer, the former DPWH chief is currently undergoing an angiogram, a procedure that uses contrast dye and X-ray imaging to assess blood vessels and detect possible blockages or abnormalities.
Earlier that day, Bonoan, 80, was also absent during the arraignment on the plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.
His counsel informed the anti-graft court that Bonoan was confined at The Medical City while under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
On May 28, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Estrada and Bonoan over alleged illegal budget insertions and purported kickbacks linked to DPWH infrastructure and flood-control projects funded under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.