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MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan told the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday that “all senators” in the previous Congress availed themselves of at least P500 million each from the “leadership fund” allotted by his agency under its 2025 budget.
Bonoan’s revelation marked his first appearance on the stand as a prosecution witness in a malversation case over an allegedly anomalous flood control project, with former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. among the accused.
The ex-Cabinet official is facing graft and plunder charges along with incumbent Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in a separate case involving public works funds.
In his testimony on Wednesday, Bonoan said that on top of the P500-million allocation for the “priority projects” of each senator, the chairpersons of major committees, including the Senate panel on public works, could have at least P1 billion.
