Department of Justice Recommends Plunder and Graft Cases Against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Former DPWH Secretary
The Department of Justice recommended filing plunder and graft cases against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan. The Office of the Ombudsman received the recommendation on May 18, 2026, and will conduct its own review before deciding whether to file charges in court.
manilatimes.netThe Department of Justice recommended the filing of plunder and graft cases against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan over alleged flood control corruption. The Office of the Ombudsman confirmed on Monday, May 18, 2026, that it received the DOJ resolution.
The recommended charges also include direct bribery and receiving gifts by public officers under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, and corruption of public officials under Article 212.
Bonoan are already barred from leaving the country after the DOJ secured a precautionary hold departure order against them in February. The DOJ also recommended cases against certain officials of the DPWH. The justice department dropped the complaints against former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former district engineer Henry Alcantara, and former regional director Gerard Opulencia because they are already state witnesses.
The late DPWH undersecretary Cathy Cabral was also removed as a respondent due to her death.
According to the Ombudsman, the DOJ probe centered on allegations that multiple high-ranking public officials and private individuals conspired to maneuver allocations, rig public bidding processes, and siphon government funds stemming from major national infrastructure budget systems.
The preliminary investigation accumulated exhaustive evidence, including legislative records, Position Description Forms, and sworn transcripts from the Senate blue ribbon committee hearings held on November 14, 2025, which detailed illicit maneuvers and alleged 30% cuts surrounding regional flood control projects.
The Ombudsman said the next step is to allow the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct its own independent review and resolution on the merits of the case. The possible outcomes include affirming the findings of the Department of Justice, amending the resolution, or reversing the findings altogether.
As of writing, only a few flood control cases have reached the courts. Those cases include that of former senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, and some former DPWH officials which are pending with the Sandiganbayan, and contractor Sarah Discaya’s case before the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court in Cebu.
Transparency
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Story details
Related Stories
nypost.comBerkshire Hathaway to Buy Taylor Morrison Home for $5 Billion in Cash
Berkshire Hathaway agreed to buy Taylor Morrison Home Corp. for $5 billion, or $50 per share in cash. The deal is the first multibillion-dollar acquisition under new Berkshire CEO Greg Abel.
dig-in.comWildfires caused record insured losses in 2025 despite lower total area burned
A study found wildfires produced 38 per cent of global insured natural hazard losses in 2025. Major fires in the United States, South Korea and Europe killed about 90 people and forced roughly 300,000 evacuations.
New Jersey Restores Partial Family Visits at ICE Detention Center
Family visitation at Delaney Hall immigration detention facility will resume after a week of demonstrations and clashes. New Jersey's governor and federal officials confirmed the partial restoration Sunday following arrests and a nightly curfew.