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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan has a lot to reveal, but should also make restitution

Lacson: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan has a lot to reveal, but should also make restitution

Published Jun 30, 2026 10:06 am

At A Glance

  • Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, former chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, also commented that those who have dealt directly with Bonoan must be "quaking in their boots" due to the information the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief can disclose.


Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan may have much to disclose as a potential state witness in the flood control scandal, but he must also make restitution for the billions in public funds lost to the anomalies.

Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan (PPAB)
Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan (PPAB)

Lacson, former chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, made the remark Monday night, as he further commented that those who have dealt directly with Bonoan must be “quaking in their boots” due to the information the former DPWH chief can disclose.

“He certainly has a lot to reveal - from allocables to anomalous flood control and other defective infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the P500-M in exchange for his Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmation as DPWH secretary in November 2022,” Lacson said in his post on X.

“With this new development, those who had direct dealings with him must be quaking in their boots,” he further said.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2071540591876603926

Lacson made the statement after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he will be asking the Sandiganbayan to release Bonoan as a respondent in the cases he is facing in connection with the flood control scandal.

Remulla reportedly confirmed having a “side agreement” for Bonoan's cooperation as a state witness.

Bonoan is a co-accused of Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada in a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division, and in two counts of graft.

However, Lacson stressed that Bonoan must also make restitution for the funds lost to the flood control mess, taking into account at least P1-billion based on the testimony of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

This should also include the alleged two-percent “standard operating procedure (SOP)” which was disclosed by former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara.

In his supplemental affidavit dated Nov. 10, 2025, Bernardo had said Bonoan would ask him to take charge of part of his reserved allocations from time to time.

According to Bernardo, the value of the projects he handled for Bonoan was at least P5-billion per year for 2023 to 2025 with a 15 percent average commitment.

“At the very least, the amount must be based on earlier testimonies by resource persons of the Blue Ribbon Committee under my watch,” Lacson said.

Related Tags

Ping Lacson Manuel Bonoan DPWH FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL
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