Former DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan. Photo courtesy of PNA/Avito Dalan.
Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan failed to attend his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan on Thursday after being excused due to medical reasons, authorities said.
CIDG National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui confirmed that coordination had been made with the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division regarding Bonoan’s absence.
Guiagui said Bonoan was unable to appear in court due to heart-related concerns and fluctuating blood pressure.
He noted that other accused, including Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, were present for the proceedings while Bonoan remained under medical care.
Bonoan was previously confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital after his blood pressure spiked following his surrender to authorities.
His surrender came after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against him in connection with plunder charges linked to alleged flood control irregularities.
He had briefly stabilized and was able to appear before the court earlier in the week but was returned to hospital care after another episode of elevated blood pressure.
Authorities later transferred him to a private hospital for further treatment, as he remains one of the accused in the ongoing graft and plunder cases tied to the flood control controversy.