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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Kumita ba?': Bonoan says he 'absolutely' did not benefit from flood control projects fiasco

'Kumita ba?': Bonoan says he 'absolutely' did not benefit from flood control projects fiasco

Published Aug 26, 2025 06:34 pm

At A Glance

  • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Tuesday, Aug. 26 that he "absolutely" did not benefit from alleged anomalous or "ghost" flood control projects.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan (Facebook)
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan (Facebook)


Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Tuesday, Aug. 26 that he "absolutely" did not benefit from alleged anomalous or "ghost" flood control projects.
"Absolutely, absolutely on my part….[I did not benefit]," Bonoan told reporters who caught up with him during a budget consultation meeting at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City.
"I don’t tolerate this kind of attitude and that’s why I’m filing all the charges against anybody who are involved actually in this 'ghost' projects that has been discovered by the President," he added.
Malacañang is leading an audit of flood control projects all over the country. This has placed the DPWH under intense scrutiny amid suspicions that the agency, the contractors, and lawmakers collude to earn massive kickbacks from these projects.
This has reportedly led to badly compromised or even non-existent flood control projects.
Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez recently asked Bonoan to resign from his post after President Marcos personally discovered in an inspection that a "completed" river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan was yet to be started. The project cost P55.7 million.
Asked by reporters who should monitor such projects, Bonoan said, "They are under the authority of the district officers or district officers who implemented these projects."
"The implementation of these projects are actually lodged in the authority of the district offices," added the DPWH head honcho.
According to Bonoan, he places erring district engineers on floating status before giving them a preventive suspension order.
The budget consultation meeting--also attended by other Cabinet officials--was closed to members of the media.
The Committee on Appropriations will formally deliberate on the DPWH budget on Monday, Sept. 1. Bonoan is expected to attend the proceedings.
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