Bonoan misses arraignment due to medical reasons

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan failed to appear at his scheduled arraignment before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday due to medical reasons, according to police authorities.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) chief Col. John Guiagui said Bonoan’s absence was coordinated with the court as the former Cabinet official was deemed medically unable to attend proceedings.

“Secretary Bonoan is not there because of medical reasons. We have already coordinated with the Sandiganbayan 5th Division that he is unable to appear,” Guiagui told reporters.

Bonoan, who was arrested in connection with alleged corruption in flood control projects, was initially confined at the PNP General Hospital inside Camp Crame before being transferred to a private hospital on Tuesday night.

Authorities said he will remain under Philippine National Police (PNP) custody until he is cleared by doctors for transfer to a regular detention facility.

Meanwhile, the CIDG also addressed the circulation of a mug shot of Senator Jinggoy Estrada showing him wearing an orange detainee shirt that did not appear properly fitted.

Guiagui said the issue was purely logistical and not indicative of preferential treatment.

“Nagkataon lang na wala talagang magkasya. Nakita niyo naman ‘yung built ng katawan ni Sen. Jinggoy wala magkasya and kailangan na po yung mugshot doon sa pag-deliver ng mga dokumento sa Sandiganbayan. Ganun po ‘yun. Wala pong special treatment,” he said.

Estrada, Bonoan, and three other co-accused are facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, which earlier issued the arrest warrants.

Amid the high-profile arrests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated that its Custodial Center at Camp Crame is no longer suitable for detaining high-profile individuals.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Legal Service has been instructed to formally inform the Sandiganbayan of the facility’s limitations following a request for Estrada’s transfer.

“We appreciate the trust and confidence of Senator Estrada in the PNP, but our facilities here at Camp Crame are no longer ideal to serve as detention facilities for high-profile personalities like him,” Nartatez said.

He added that while other secure facilities exist, they may offer more appropriate conditions compared to the current custodial center, which has operational constraints.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, had earlier announced plans to renovate the PNP Custodial Center to make way for new office construction and facility upgrades.