MANILA – The Sandiganbayan Second Division has reset the pre-trial conference in the graft case against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over his alleged involvement in the flood control controversy after the prosecution sought to amend the case by dropping a co-accused.

According to a media report, the anti-graft court moved the scheduled July 1 pre-trial, which includes the marking of evidence, to July 14 after receiving the prosecution’s motion to remove former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan from the case.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier announced that the prosecution would ask the court to exclude Bonoan as an accused in the PHP573-million plunder case and two counts of graft filed in connection with the alleged racketeering scheme involving flood control projects.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Bonoan’s testimony is needed to strengthen larger cases, including a criminal complaint against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

According to Clavano, Bonoan frequently communicated with Romualdez and other members of Congress regarding the preparation of the national budget.

Estrada has posted PHP90,000 bail in the graft case pending before the Sandiganbayan Second Division.

However, he remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas because he is also facing a PHP573-million plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

The senator has likewise posted a separate PHP90,000 bail in another graft case pending before the Fifth Division.

Meanwhile, Bonoan has yet to be arraigned in any of the cases and has not entered a plea as he remains under hospital arrest.