Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Monday formally submitted his counter-affidavit to the panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with a plunder complaint filed against him.
The complaint was lodged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which alleged irregularities in several flood control projects. The case also names Jinggoy Estrada as a co-respondent.
“I submitted my counter-affidavit,” Bonoan told reporters after attending the preliminary investigation proceedings at the DOJ.
He confirmed that he informed the DOJ panel of his plan to travel to the United States to attend to his wife, who is scheduled for a medical operation. “Yes, we asked permission,” Bonoan said, adding that the panel allowed him to leave, though he declined to provide further details.
However, DOJ spokesperson lawyer Polo Martinez clarified that the department itself does not have the authority to grant travel clearance to respondents in pending cases. “Travel by respondents can only be restricted by the courts,” Martinez explained.
Bonoan had previously traveled to the United States last year for his wife’s corneal transplant and returned to the Philippines in January. Despite his wife’s ongoing medical concerns, he assured authorities that he would continue to cooperate fully with the investigation.
