The Philippine government has initiated close surveillance of former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan's international movements, the Department of Justice confirmed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Strict Monitoring Under Immigration Lookout Bulletin
Justice Department spokesperson Nicholo Polo Martinez revealed that Bonoan departed for the United States on Tuesday to accompany his wife for medical treatment. However, his travel comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Bulacan province.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has included Bonoan in its request to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation regarding the implementation of these infrastructure projects. In response, the government has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the former secretary.
Real-Time Tracking of Movements
Martinez described the monitoring as "bantay sarado" or strictly guarded, emphasizing that every movement Bonoan makes is being tracked in real-time. "Being under the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order, this means that there is real-time monitoring and reporting of all his movements," Martinez stated during a press briefing.
The spokesperson explained that Bonoan's passport has been marked, enabling immediate reporting through the Bureau of Immigration to the DOJ. "That's immediate. So, while standing before immigration, they check his name, and then they see that his name is listed there under ILBO, right away, it will be reported to us," Martinez clarified.
Legal Basis and Potential Consequences
Martinez noted that the ILBO serves as the government's primary recourse since the constitutional right to travel can only be formally restricted through a court-issued hold departure order when a case has already been filed. "ILBO guarantees that every movement of any citizen who is under the ILBO will be monitored and reported to the proper authorities," he emphasized.
The monitoring extends beyond the United States, with Martinez confirming that Bonoan remains under close watch even if he relocates to another country. Regarding potential visa overstay issues, Martinez indicated that any violation of U.S. immigration laws would fall under the jurisdiction of American authorities to address.
