MANILA – Malacañang said it will not interfere in any decision by the Office of the Ombudsman on whether to make former Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness in the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the executive branch recognizes the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman and will allow it to determine its own course of action, provided legal procedures are followed.

“Hindi po tayo nakikialam kung ano po ang magiging polisiya ng Ombudsman dahil alam naman po natin na ito ay isang independent body at hindi tayo manghihimasok kung ano po ang proseso na gagawin ng Ombudsman, provided na ito naman ho ay hindi labag sa batas (We do not interfere with whatever policy the Ombudsman will adopt because we recognize that it is an independent body, and we will not meddle with its processes, provided that these are not against the law),” Castro said.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday that Bonoan is being considered as a state witness, saying his testimony could be crucial in building cases against those allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

Bonoan was earlier charged with plunder along with Senator Jinggoy Estrada and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

He was arrested on June 1 over a non-bailable plunder charge but was later allowed to remain under house arrest after the Ombudsman partially granted his motion, citing his age and health condition.

Asked about Senator Panfilo Lacson’s call to make public the terms of any agreement that could qualify Bonoan as a state witness, including the possible restitution of government funds, Castro said the matter is for the Ombudsman to decide.

She noted that Remulla had previously raised the issue of restitution when he was still serving as justice secretary.

“Before narinig na rin natin ang panukala o proposal noong siya ay Secretary of Justice at kinakailangan ng restitution. So, again, hindi natin alam kung ano ang magiging posisyon ng Office of the Ombudsman. Baka pareho na rin ng kaniyuang pananaw noong siya ay Secretary of Justice (We have already heard that proposal when he was still Secretary of Justice—that restitution is necessary. So again, we do not know what the position of the Office of the Ombudsman will be. It might be similar to his view when he was still Secretary of Justice),” Castro said.