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Emmanuel Tupas - The Philippine Star
June 4, 2026 | 12:00am
Former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan is wheeled out of the Sandiganbayan after attending a scheduled arraignment of his graft case yesterday. At right, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the anti-graft court, which reset the proceedings to June 4 pending the resolution of the pleadings.
Miguel De Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — Former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan has been transferred to a private hospital from the Philippine National Police General Hospital on Tuesday night due to his heart condition.
PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said Bonoan was transferred to a private medical facility somewhere in Metro Manila at around 11 p.m. under heavy security, upon recommendation of the police Health Service to the Sandiganbayan.
Bonoan’s laboratory results showed that he had elevated heart enzymes, which raised concerns for a possible heart condition.
Co did not disclose the name of the private hospital.
The 80-year-old Bonoan is among the co-accused in the plunder case filed against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
As a Level-2 facility, Co said the PNP General Hospital is not equipped to address Bonoan’s medical condition, which needs specialized care and further diagnostic work.
Bonoan’s blood pressure has been fluctuating since he was surrendered to the PNP. He also experienced headaches and chest discomfort.
Even if Bonoan is in a hospital, Co said he remains under police custody, particularly the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
“He is under the PNP’s custody pending the resolution of the motion filed with the Sandiganbayan,” he said, referring to Bonoan’s petition to be placed under hospital arrest.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla maintained he was professional when he implemented the warrant of arrest against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Monday.
Remulla admitted there was tension during the brief standoff with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who insisted Estrada should be arrested outside the Senate building.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta criticized Remulla for shouting at Cayetano but the department chief stressed the scene was overblown.
“If you review all the videos, I only raised my voice once,” Remulla told reporters in a message on Viber.
Remulla said he respects Marcoleta’s feelings but insisted he did not go overboard with his actions.
“I maintain that I maintained a professional demeanor during the entire incident,” he said.
