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MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division on Tuesday postponed the arraignment of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to June 4.
In the case of Bonoan, who arrived in a wheelchair, his arraignment was postponed after he again showed signs of hypertension. On Monday night, he was taken to the Philippine National Police-General Hospital (PNP-GH) after his surrender to authorities after his blood pressure rose to a critical 192/100.
Estrada, 63, and Bonoan, 80, are accused of graft before the Second Division and of plunder, a nonbailable offense, before the Fifth Division. Three other former chief engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are also accused together with Estrada and Bonoan before the Fifth Division. The charges are all in connection with the flood control scandal which has also implicated several other officials.
Appearing in the yellow Bureau of Jail Management and Penology shirt worn by inmates, Estrada had earlier manifested that he was ready for his arraignment and pretrial. But later he withdrew that manifestation after consulting with his counsel, Noel Ostrea, who filed a motion to cancel the arraignment as he cited his client’s prior commitments as senator.
