Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has dismissed calls for him to step down over alleged irregularities in flood control projects, saying he continues to enjoy the trust of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In an interview with DZMM, Bonoan stressed: “My tenure is on the pleasure of the President.” He shared that he recently met with Marcos, who instructed him to pursue an investigation into the questionable projects flagged in the President’s State of the Nation Address last July.
Bonoan said he is prepared to take a leave of absence once an official audit begins but maintained that the issue should first be thoroughly reviewed. Palace officials earlier confirmed that the President has not lost confidence in him despite revelations that much of the P545-billion flood control budget was concentrated among just 15 contractors.
Following reports of 30 “ghost” projects in Bulacan exposed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Bonoan revealed that he had already relieved around 10 officials from the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Office. One of the questionable projects—a P55 million riverwall in Baliwag—was found to have been fully paid despite not existing on the ground.
“This is an isolated case,” Bonoan said, noting that Bulacan was the only province with verified ghost projects so far. He added that he had recalled the promotion of a former district engineer slated for a higher post in Region 4-A and placed him on floating status pending charges.
The secretary warned that more sanctions may follow in Oriental Mindoro, where Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor alleged that hundreds of millions of pesos were released multiple times for a project in Sitio Dike that was never built.
Bonoan assured that personnel and contractors proven to have been involved in non-existent or substandard projects would face charges: “The moment na ma-verify ko na may ghost project, then again these people who are involved will have to be sanctioned.”
The DPWH regional office in Mimaropa has yet to comment on the alleged ghost projects in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
