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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.
May 18, 9:38 AM·2m read1 source
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The 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.
