Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Saturday, rejected calls for his resignation following allegations of corruption and anomalies in flood control projects.
In a video message posted in official social media account, Bonoan admitted that the controversies have cast a shadow over the agency but stressed that stepping down is not the proper solution.
“Hindi po ang pag-alis o pag-iwas ng responsibilidad ang tamang paraan ng paghahanap ng solusyon. Tatanggapin ko ang accountability. Pero tandaan po ninyo, hindi ko po kukunsintihin at papayagan ang anumang uri ng korapsyon,” Bonoan said.
The DPWH chief acknowledged the hardships Filipinos have been facing due to flooding, especially in Metro Manila, compounded by reports of substandard and “ghost” flood control projects. Which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself discovered some of these questionable projects during site visits.
Bonoan explained that while some are calling for his resignation, he believes it would be irresponsible to abandon his post amid the crisis. Instead, he vowed to pursue accountability and reforms within the department.
"Gusto nating managot ang dapat managot, makulong ang dapat makulong," he added.
Among the measures already taken by the DPWH, Bonoan said are the following:
- Creation of an anti-graft and corrupt practices committee within the department.
- Preventive suspension of officials from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, including the District Engineer, Assistant District Engineer, and all Section Chiefs, along with the reassignment of the Region 4B Regional Director, which the President personally discovered several alleged ghost projects.
- Moreover, Bonoan also stated a preventive suspension of the Batangas 1st District Engineer accused of attempting to bribe Rep. Leandro Leviste.
- Reassignment of the Assistant District Engineer and all Section Chiefs of the Batangas 1st District Engineering Office.
- And ongoing validation of flood control projects in Regions 3, 4B, 6, 7, and 8 from July 2022 to May 2025.
- He added that the Commission on Audit (COA) is conducting a fraud audit on questionable projects in Bulacan and other provinces.
Bonoan asserted that the majority of personnel in the agency remain “honest and competent,” despite recent controversies linking some officials and employees to anomalous flood control projects.
"Taas-noo kong sinasabi sa inyong lahat, mas marami ang matitino at mahuhusay na tao sa DPWH," he said.
Earlier, on August 20, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned why Bonoan has not resigned despite widespread allegations of systemic corruption in DPWH projects. His remarks came in response to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s privilege speech exposing alleged anomalous flood control schemes.
"Sa ganitong katinding trilyong-pisong halaga ng pagnanakaw sa gobyerno sa ilalim ng Public Works, ang magiging tanong ko sa Martes sa privilege speech ni Sen. Lacson ay bakit hindi pa nagre-resign 'yung Secretary ng Public Works?" he said.
"Nawa'y maisagot sana nang maayos. Kung hindi man ni Sen. Lacson, baka dapat 'yung Secretary of Public Works ang sumagot," the senator added.
Bonoan appealed to the public to help and support Marcos to identify corrupt officials and contractors, urging citizens to report information.
“Bayan po natin ito. Magtulung-tulong po tayo. Maraming salamat po,” he concluded.
