The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has suspended all personal overseas travel of its officials and employees while investigations continue into the controversial multibillion-peso flood control program.
In a memorandum dated August 29, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan ordered the restriction, stressing that the move reflects the agency’s commitment to “transparency, accountability, and public service integrity.” The suspension will remain in place while project validations linked to the flood program are underway.
The controversy over flood control projects has prompted wider scrutiny in government, with Palace press officer Claire Castro saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the entire executive branch are prepared to undergo lifestyle checks if necessary. Lawmakers earlier urged Marcos to include himself in the probe to set an example.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s office confirmed that she is preparing to face Congress for her 2026 budget defense, while former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III released a message to supporters, urging them “not to pity” him after his sudden removal from the post.
