The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division orders the release of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Thursday following a petition by the Ombudsman to drop him as a co-accused in the P573 million plunder and graft case on the 2025 flood control scandal.

The anti-graft court ordered the Philippine National Police to release the 81-year-old former cabinet member from its hospital unless there are other cases against him.

The Ombudsman asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to discharge Bonuan so he can turn into a state witness.

Bonuan was arrested in June but was granted hospital stay due to diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

His former co-accused Senator Jinggoy Estrada refused to enter a plea for his graft and plunder raps, leading the court to enter a not guilty plea. PHS