Former DPWH Secretary Bonoan Attends Senate Hearing on Flood Control Project Allegations
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan participated in a renewed session of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, January 19, 2026. The hearing focused on a multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal that has raised significant concerns about government infrastructure projects.
Allegations of Incorrect Coordinates and Ghost Projects
Senators are expected to question Bonoan regarding allegations that he provided incorrect coordinates for thousands of flood control projects across the Philippines. According to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, this issue has resulted in unreliable data associated with 421 ghost projects. Lacson emphasized that such discrepancies undermine the credibility of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, a platform designed for public reporting and transparency.
Background and Recent Developments
Bonoan attended the hearing just one day after returning to the Philippines from Taipei, Taiwan, highlighting the urgency of the investigation. In the previous year, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended filing administrative charges against Bonoan and his former undersecretaries, Roberto Bernardo and the late Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral.
Roberto Bernardo has claimed that funds for the alleged anomalous projects were cleared by Cabral and were awaiting approval from the public works secretary. This testimony adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of how public funds were managed and allocated for critical flood control initiatives.
Implications for Public Trust and Infrastructure
The scandal not only questions the integrity of specific officials but also casts doubt on the overall effectiveness of flood control measures in the country. With billions of pesos at stake, the outcome of this Senate hearing could have far-reaching consequences for future infrastructure projects and public confidence in government agencies.
As the investigation continues, stakeholders are closely monitoring how the Senate addresses these allegations and what steps will be taken to prevent similar issues in the future. The focus remains on ensuring accountability and restoring trust in the DPWH's operations.
