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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DPWH chief stays in office as calls for resignation mount

DPWH chief stays in office as calls for resignation mount

Published Aug 22, 2025 04:36 pm

At A Glance

  • DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan will remain in office despite calls to resign.
  • President Marcos directed him to continue investigations into alleged failed and non-existent flood control projects.
  • All personnel in DPWH-Bulacan 1st District were relieved over 30 alleged "ghost" projects.
  • Palace officials say Bonoan continues to have the President's trust.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Photo: DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Photo: DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Friday, Aug. 22, said he will remain in office despite calls for his resignation after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. instructed him to continue overseeing investigations into alleged failed and non-existent flood control projects.
Bonoan met with Marcos last Tuesday, who told him to pursue the probe, which he said he is actively carrying out.
He also publicly declared his readiness to go on leave once the government initiates an audit of DPWH flood control projects.
Palace officials confirmed he still has the President’s trust despite findings that a large portion of the P545-billion flood control budget went to only 15 contractors.
Bonoan has already relieved all personnel in DPWH-Bulacan 1st District following Senator Panfilo Lacson’s disclosure of 30 alleged “ghost” projects.
One of the projects is a P55-million riverwall in Baliwag, Bulacan, which the President confirmed as non-existent despite full payment.
He described the issue as an “isolated case” and placed former district officials on floating status while reviewing documents for possible charges.
“I gave three days for them to explain. Within three days, if we find them not convincing, then we have to file the necessary charges, including the contractors,” he said.
The public works chief also warned that personnel and contractors in Oriental Mindoro could face sanctions if alleged ghost projects are verified.
He cited one Sitio Dike project that received funding three separate times, totaling hundreds of millions of pesos, yet no structure was built.
DPWH Mimaropa has yet to respond to the alleged ghost projects in Naujan.

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