The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has partially granted the motion for hospital arrest filed by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, allowing him to be temporarily confined at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City while his case remains pending.
In a resolution promulgated on Thursday, the anti-graft court cited humanitarian grounds, including Bonoan’s advanced age and serious medical conditions, in approving his request for hospital confinement.
“Accordingly, the court partially grants accused Manuel Manligas Bonoan’s urgent ex abundanti ad cautelam motion to allow accused Manuel Manligas Bonoan under hospital arrest while case is pending dated June 1, 2026. Accused Bonoan is allowed to be confined at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City,” penned by 5th Division Chairperson Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses.
However, the court denied his request to remain at The Medical City, where he is currently admitted.
The Sandiganbayan directed the attending physician at the PNP General Hospital to submit an independent medical evaluation report within five days to verify the clinical findings presented by Bonoan’s defense team.
Pending the results of the examination, Bonoan will remain under strict hospital arrest and under the custody and control of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Bonoan’s lawyers sought hospital arrest, citing his age and multiple health conditions. According to a medical certificate issued by his personal physician, the 80-year-old former Cabinet official suffers from Chronic Renal Disease Stage IV, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gouty arthritis, spondylolisthesis, dyslipidemia, and prostate cancer.
Bonoan was unable to attend the reading of charges due to his confinement in a private hospital.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said the arrangement is only "temporary."
“It is a temporary measure given by the Sandiganbayan. A formal medical diagnosis will be forwarded to the Sandiganbayan,” Remulla told reporters.
“He [Bonoan] had two procedures this week to treat his heart attack,” Remulla said. “If we cannot handle it then we will ask permission from the courts to transfer him to a more advanced facility like The Medical City,” he added.
Bonoan and Senator Jinggoy Estrada are facing a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.
The court had earlier ordered Bonoan’s arrest in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the PNP-CIDG, confirmed on Thursday that it had served a separate arrest warrant against Estrada and Bonoan for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The warrant, issued by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division and dated June 1, 2026, carries a recommended bail of P90,000.
Authorities served the warrant on Estrada and three co-accused detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas on June 3. The warrant was served on Bonoan on June 4.
