Manila, Sept. 2 -- Malacanang on Wednesday said the dismissal of graft charges against former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan is beyond President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s authority, citing separation of powers in government.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division earlier granted the Office of the Ombudsman's motion to drop Bonoan from the plunder and graft charges involving former Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Bonoan was among the senator's co-accused in the case filed by the Ombudsman in May for allegedly conspiring to amass some PHP500 million in kickbacks from flood control projects.

The Ombudsman later asked the Sandiganbayan to exclude Bonoan from the charges after the former Public Works chief expressed his willingness t...