DOJ recommends plunder, graft charges vs Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and ex-DPWH chief Bonoan over flood control

On May 18, 2026, the Department of Justice transmitted its preliminary investigation resolution to the Office of the Ombudsman, recommending the filing of plunder under Republic Act 7080, graft under sections 3(b) and 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, corruption of public officials under Article 212, and receiving gifts by public officers in connection with the flood control kickback scheme. The resolution issued from the NBI-DOJ Public Works task force. The principal respondents were Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and several DPWH officials and contractors. The resolution drew on the affidavit of former Bulacan engineer Brice Hernandez, who described a 30 percent illegal cut on a ₱355 million Bulacan 1st district allocation, alongside the testimony of former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and engineer Opulencia. Bernardo, Alcantara, and Opulencia were excluded from the charge sheet under their state-witness arrangements with the Department of Justice. Charges against former Undersecretary Cathy Cabral were dropped on account of her death. Assistant Solicitor General Mico Clavano, speaking for the Office of the Ombudsman, said the office would independently evaluate the DOJ recommendation, and may affirm, modify, or reverse it before any filing at the Sandiganbayan.