Photo credit: DPWH

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson accused former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan of deliberately submitting inaccurate information to Malacañang on alleged ghost flood control projects, a move he said may have been intended to weaken the government’s corruption investigation.

Lacson said he received what he described as very reliable information showing that Bonoan provided incorrect grid coordinates for thousands of flood control projects nationwide. These data were reportedly uploaded to the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, resulting in serious inaccuracies involving about 421 suspected ghost projects that had previously been inspected and reported by the DPWH.

According to Lacson, the flawed data caused confusion in identifying project locations and forced the department to recheck records by comparing them with existing documents, including those from the multi-year planning and scheduling system, the Project and Contract Management Application, and other official files still in the department’s possession.

He said Bonoan’s actions point to clear complicity in an alleged cover-up, even if the former DPWH chief continues to deny being a key player in the controversy. Lacson added that Bonoan may have acted to mislead the Palace in order to discredit or undermine the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

Lacson also linked the issue to earlier statements by Bonoan questioning the accuracy of data on at least one alleged ghost project in Mindoro, raised during a privilege speech last year. He said the former DPWH secretary may have challenged the findings because he was aware that the data he submitted were already incorrect, noting that the Senate investigation relied on separate sources in identifying ghost projects.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Lacson, is set to tackle the issue further in its next hearing on Monday, Jan. 19. The panel plans to subpoena key DPWH documents, including records left by the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, to establish the full extent of the alleged anomalies.

Lacson said current DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has agreed to send two undersecretaries to testify at the hearing and to bring relevant documents for the committee’s review.

Bonoan is among those expected to be subpoenaed. Lacson warned that if the former DPWH chief again fails to appear, the committee may cite him in contempt and issue a legislative arrest warrant. Should this happen, the Senate may coordinate with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose “Babe” Romualdez to work with US authorities to facilitate Bonoan’s return to the country once his stay expires.

Aside from the Bonoan issue, Lacson said the committee will also seek clarification from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo regarding reports of a failed attempt by former Philippine National Police chief and now MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III to place Bernardo under his custody. Lacson said the incident occurred before Bernardo’s third Senate appearance and raised questions about Torre’s role at the time.

The Blue Ribbon Committee also plans to question the so-called BGC Boys following reports that they may have recanted or are planning to recant their testimonies before the Senate or other investigative bodies.

With the next hearing approaching, Lacson said the Senate remains focused on uncovering the truth behind the alleged ghost flood control projects and ensuring accountability for those involved.