The camp of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez believes former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan's current legal and medical situation prompted him to agree to become a state witness in the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
The remarks came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said on Tuesday that the Office of the Ombudsman had accepted Bonoan's offer to become a state witness, saying he could testify against Romualdez.
Speaking on DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, Romualdez's legal counsel, Atty. Ade Fajardo, said he found it questionable that Bonoan only decided to cooperate after nearly a year since the flood control controversy first surfaced.
"Kami po ay lubos na nagtataka kung bakit halos isang taon nang nakalipas mula noong sumabog itong flood control issue sa State of the Nation Address, ngayon lang tila nagbago ang sinasabi ng ating mga DPWH officials," Fajardo said.
According to Fajardo, Bonoan may have reconsidered his position after being charged with plunder and placed under hospital arrest.
"Ibig sabihin po, may nangyari kasi ngayon si dating secretary ay naka-hospital arrest. Siya ay nakasuhan na ng plunder. Siyempre, gipit na gipit sa panahong ito," he said.
Fajardo added that Bonoan may have feared being transferred to a regular detention facility once he is discharged from the hospital.
"Hospital arrest siya kasi siya ay ginagamot o ina-assess ang kaniyang medical condition. Pero ano ang mangyayari kung siya ay ma-discharge at dalhin sa regular na jail facility?" he said.
He also suggested that the prospect of immunity may have influenced Bonoan's decision to cooperate with prosecutors.
"Naiintindihan ko kung bakit siguro may agam-agam o pangamba sa pag-iisip ng ating dating secretary na kailangan may sasabihin siyang mahalaga. Kasi nga mag-state witness ka, magkakaroon ka ng immunity," Fajardo said.
"Kung may gusto tayong sabihin sa unang pagkakataon, sasabihin na natin. Paano natin siya pagkakatiwalaan ngayon?" he added.
The lawyer likewise dismissed allegations that Romualdez was the "mastermind" behind the alleged flood control anomalies, saying the former Speaker had no direct role in identifying projects, approving bids, awarding contracts, or releasing funds.
"Napakalayo po ni dating Speaker Martin Romualdez sa prosesong iyan," Fajardo said.
Romualdez has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged anomalies. In an earlier video statement, he rejected claims that he masterminded the supposed corruption scheme and challenged the Office of the Ombudsman to "follow the evidence."
On Monday, Remulla said the Office of the Ombudsman had already secured Bonoan's agreement to cooperate and would ask the Sandiganbayan to discharge him as an accused so he could testify as a state witness in the pending flood control cases.
