Manuel Bonoan Granted Hospital Arrest by Court

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan has been granted hospital arrest by an anti-graft court due to serious health complications following his surrender on plunder and graft charges. The 80-year-old former official is accused alongside Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada and three other former department officials in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division issued a resolution, made public on Friday, partially granting Bonoan's motion for hospital arrest. The court ruled that he may be confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City, while remaining under police custody. The decision cited humanitarian considerations, stating that detention in a regular jail facility would pose a real, imminent, and irreparable danger to his life given his medical condition.

Bonoan's health has been unstable since his surrender on Monday. During initial booking procedures, his blood pressure spiked to a dangerously high level, requiring immediate hospitalization. His condition has fluctuated, leading to his transfer to a private hospital for specialized cardiac care earlier this week. Interior...