Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan on Monday submitted his counter-affidavit in response to a plunder complaint filed against him, as proceedings continue before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Bonoan confirmed the submission in an ambush interview after appearing at the DOJ.
The complaint names several other officials as respondents, including Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, former DPWH undersecretaries Maria Catalina Cabral and Roberto Bernardo, former regional director Gerard Opulencia, and former district engineer Henry Alcantara.
DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez confirmed that copies of Bonoan’s counter-affidavit were furnished to the complainant and the legal counsels of Opulencia and Alcantara. He said submission of the remaining counter-affidavits, including Estrada’s, is scheduled for 23 February 2026.
According to Martinez, the plunder complaint involves allegations of ill-gotten wealth exceeding P50 million through multiple transactions, rather than a single project or locality. Bonoan has denied the claims, including reports that he received over P2 billion in kickbacks from government contracts.
Bonoan also confirmed that he plans to travel to the United States. An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) has been issued against him, allowing authorities to monitor his movements but not automatically preventing travel. Martinez clarified that only the courts can impose travel restrictions on respondents.
Bonoan previously traveled to the United States via Taiwan in November 2025 to accompany his wife for a medical procedure and returned on 18 January 2026.