Bonoan denies receiving kickbacks from flood control projects
MANILA, Philippines— Former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan categorically denied receiving kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects when confronted about it at a Senate panel hearing on Monday.
The allegation came from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who detailed in an affidavit he read before the Senate blue ribbon committee in November how his former boss divided their shares from these projects.
Bernardo claimed the value of projects that he handled for Bonoan was at least P5 billion per annum for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 “with 15 percent average commitment.”
“Of this 15 percent average commitment, Sec. Bonoan (75 percent) usually would give me 25 percent of the commitment, with the rest of the commitment shared between him and Usec. Cabral,” he said then, referring to the late DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
Asked about it during the Senate blue ribbon hearing, Bonoan said he doesn’t “recall talking about any projects at all if there would be any proposals from them.”
But Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, pointed out that based on Bernardo’s affidavit, it was very clear that Bonoan was getting commissions from the projects.
“I completely deny, your honor. I don’t have any allocable amount,” Bonoan answered.
Panel chairman Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson cautioned the former DPWH chief that his statement might later be refuted by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, who was also at the hearing.
But Gatchalian was firm, insisting his own belief that Bonoan had indeed received kickbacks from either so-called allocable or non-allocable funds.
When Bonoan continued to deny this, Gatchalian then asked why he allowed corruption in the agency under his watch.
“Your honor, as secretary of the department, I have general oversight…” he said.
“Pero kung kasali ho kayo dito sa mga kickback , iyong oversight na yan walang kwenta ho yan,” Gatchalian said.
(But if you are involved in these kickbacks, that oversight becomes meaningless.)
“And this is what I deny your honor,” Bonoan answered.
In fact, he said, he was the one who reported to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. where the projects are.
But not before the flood control projects scandal broke out, Gatchalian said.
“But through the years na pumupunta ho kayo dito, wala naman kaming naririnig na may problema kasi in my opinion kasali ho kayo dito,” the senator further said.
(But over the years that you have been coming here, we have not heard of any problems, because in my opinion, you are part of it.). /gsg
