Politics Events Country 2026-01-27T16:37:46+00:00

Senator and former Philippines secretary admitted to witness protection program

The Philippines' DOJ has subpoenaed Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and detained ex-senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. over plunder cases linked to anomalous flood control projects. Three individuals, including a contractor, have been admitted to the witness protection program.


Senator and former Philippines secretary admitted to witness protection program

Three individuals, including contractor Sally Santos, have been admitted into the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program (WPP). Aside from plunder, Estrada and Bonoan are also facing multiple charges, including violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), direct bribery, receiving gifts by public officers, and corruption of public officers. The cases were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation–DOJ Public Works and Bid-Rigging Task Force. Polo Martinez, Estrada and Bonoan are co-respondents in one of three plunder cases currently pending before the DOJ. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued subpoenas against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and detained former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., along with several other individuals, in connection with plunder cases arising from alleged anomalous flood control projects. According to DOJ spokesperson Atty. The plunder case involving Co has already progressed to the preliminary investigation stage. Also named in the plunder complaint against Estrada are former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Gerard Opulencia, and former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara. They have been directed to appear for preliminary investigation hearings scheduled on February 2 and February 12. Revilla Jr., meanwhile, is a respondent in two separate plunder cases, along with former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and others.