Bonoan to testify vs Revilla in flood case

MANILA, Philippines — Former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan will testify against former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. in a malversation case involving an anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.

Bonoan will take the witness stand on Aug. 12 before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

At yesterday’s trial, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified that Bonoan had access to lump-sum allocations in the agency’s budget and Bonoan had the discretion to set it aside for lawmakers who requested projects from him.

Bernardo said Revilla approached him regarding projects and asked for a 25 percent commitment fee.

Although he denied earning from the Pandi, Bulacan transaction, Bernardo admitted to profiting from dealings with other lawmakers.

Bernardo said he had “served” senators, including Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero and former senator and Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, as stated in his judicial affidavit.

The lawmakers have denied the allegations.

On his arrangement with Bonoan, Bernardo said he would give 75 percent to Bonoan.

Bonoan allegedly gave 25 percent to the late public works undersecretary Catalina Cabral, leaving Bernardo with the remaining 25 percent.

This arrangement, Bernardo said, continued until 2025.

Bonoan’s testimony will come on the heels of the anti-graft court’s denial to drop him from a separate graft case linked to the flood control scandal.

Ombudsman prosecutors had sought to exclude Bonoan from the charge sheet in a graft case where Estrada is among the accused.

Prosecutors had intended to use Bonoan as a state witness in flood control cases, including the case involving allegations to defraud the national treasury against former speaker Martin Romualdez.

Sandigan justices defend Bong’s bail

Despite criticisms and doubts on their integrity, Sandiganbayan justices stood firm on their ruling to grant Revilla bail.

Associate Justice Ronald Moreno said he was never accused of being influenced by bribes or connections in his over 20 years in the judiciary.

Associate Justice Fritz Bryn Delos Santos agreed with Moreno’s opinion that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s remarks are a “natural reaction.”

Remulla earlier said it appeared that the case has been worked on to secure Revilla’s bail.

Progressive group Kapatid has decried the “selective justice” in granting Revilla’s bail.

“This decision exposes the sharpest irony of Philippine justice: swift, compassionate discretion for the powerful but rigid severity and endless delays for political prisoners and poor inmates,” they said.

Jinggoy appeals

Estrada is asking the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its denial of his motion for bail in his plunder case.

He argued that the court can grant his plea since he is not a flight risk.

Noting that the risk of flight was not the issue, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division had ruled that Estrada’s motion was premature as the court has yet to determine whether he is entitled to bail. — Ghio Ong