Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan,
FORMER Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan submitted his counter-affidavit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, addressing the plunder complaint filed against him.
“We submitted a counter-affidavit,” Bonoan confirmed to reporters in a brief interview after the submission.
The complaint, which also names Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, former DPWH Undersecretaries Maria Catalina Cabral and Roberto Bernardo, former DPWH Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, and former District Engineer Henry Alcantara, alleges the acquisition of ill-gotten wealth exceeding P50 million through a series of transactions. DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez clarified that the complaint encompasses multiple projects and localities.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Bonoan affirmed his intention to travel to the United States, though he stated that his departure date is yet to be determined. “Ayan nakapag paalam na (I already asked),” he said, indicating he had sought permission to leave the country. When asked if the Justice Department had agreed to his travel plans, Bonoan responded affirmatively with a nod.
This development comes despite an existing Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order issued against the former DPWH head. Bonoan previously traveled to the United States via Taiwan in November 2025, returning to the Philippines on January 18, 2026. The trip was to accompany his wife for a medical procedure. He has consistently denied allegations of receiving over P2 billion in kickbacks from government projects.
Lingering Questions
During the last preliminary investigation, Bonoan mentioned that he was awaiting the schedule for his wife’s operation. His planned departure raises questions about the timing and potential impact on the ongoing investigation.
The DOJ has yet to release an official statement regarding Bonoan’s travel request and its potential implications for the case. The investigation remains ongoing, and all parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
