MANILA – A high-profile anti-corruption investigation looms over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to probe former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and two senior officials over a P69.4-million “ghost” flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.
The project — identified as the Riverbank Protection Structure in Barangay Bagong Silang (Purok 4) — was earlier flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) for being built on an incorrect site and failing to meet approved plans, despite being reported as completed and fully paid.
ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said the infrastructure, allegedly implemented by TopnotchCatalyst Builders, Inc., lacked the supporting documents to prove its existence.
“The Commission has recommended that the Ombudsman assess whether there is potential violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees on the part of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Athena Cabral, among others,” Reyes stated.
Reyes emphasized that public officials must be held accountable for projects that misuse taxpayers’ money.
“Public office is a public trust. Public office means a sacrifice for the betterment of the Philippine people and not to make your life better at the expense of the people,” he said.
Apart from Bonoan, the ICI also sought investigation of DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Erickson Hernandez, and other individuals possibly involved in the project, for possible malversation and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The COA earlier found that the supposed riverbank structure was nonexistent at its listed location, even though the project had been declared 100 percent complete and fully disbursed.
Both Bonoan and former Undersecretary Cabral have since vacated their posts. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier confirmed accepting Bonoan’s resignation, saying the latter had “taken full responsibility” for the irregularities surrounding DPWH’s flood control initiatives.
Bonoan previously admitted that certain flood control projects under his watch were tainted by irregularities./PN
