Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan,
KAMANGGAGAWA Partylist Rep. Elijah “Eli” San Fernando on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, following revelations of multi-billion peso ghost flood control projects under his watch.
San Fernando cited disclosures made during a Senate hearing where Sec. Bonoan admitted that Wawao Builders, one of the top contractors in the President’s list, bagged ₱9 billion worth of contracts nationwide, including ₱5.97 billion for 85 projects in Bulacan alone. The secretary later on conceded that many of these are “ghost projects.” President Marcos himself earlier flagged a supposed ₱55-million ghost river wall project in Brgy. Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan.
“Napakalaki ng blunder sa DPWH at sa mga flood control projects. Ang ₱5.97 billion na ghost projects ng Wawao Builders at ang ₱55-million ghost riverwall project na mismong si Pangulo ang nakatuklas, ay parehong malinaw na patunay ng palpak at bulok na pamamalakad sa ahensya,” San Fernando said.
He also pointed to the questionable track records of contractors exposed in recent hearings: QM Builders, awarded ₱7.383 billion worth of contracts despite only ₱1.25 million declared capital in SEC documents, and SYMS Construction, a sole proprietorship that completed ₱931.2 million worth of projects in just three years.
“These contractors are getting billions in projects with almost no capacity on paper. Sino ang protektor nila? At paano ito nakalusot sa ilalim ng DPWH?” San Fernando asked.
San Fernando stressed that Sec. Bonoan must be held accountable.
“Kung hindi mo alam ang mga nangyayaring ghost projects sa ahensya mo, incompetent ka. Kung alam mo at wala kang ginawa, korap ka. Mamili ka lang, Sec. Bonoan,” he declared.
“Si Secretary Bonoan ang namumuno sa ahensya na batbat ngayon ng issue ng korapsyon. Hindi pwedeng wala siyang pananagutan dito. Kaya nga tayo may command responsibility sa gobyerno. Ikaw ang alter ego ng presidente, bigyan mo naman ng kahihiyan si PBBM. Mahiya ka naman. Mag-resign ka na. Huwag mo nang hintayin na sisantihin ka,” San Fernando added.
He also pressed President Marcos Jr. to act decisively:
“Sabi ni Pangulo, he is very angry. Kami rin po, Mr. President, galit rin po kami. Pera ng mga manggagawa at ordinaryong Pilipino ang pinag-uusapan dito. The leader you appointed to the very agency mandated to provide quality infrastructure to the Filipino is now at the center of one of the largest corruption scandals in our history. Mr. President, fire Sec. Bonoan! After firing him, dapat ding imbestigahan ang secretary mismo! Imposibleng daang bilyong pondo ang umiikot, tapos ang secretary walang alam. Kalokohan po iyon.”
San Fernando reiterated his support for the ongoing Senate and House investigations and the proposed entry of an independent third party to avoid bias.
Just last week, San Fernando also called on the President to name the politicians involved in anomalous flood control projects and pressed for a lifestyle check, SALN audit, and mandatory opening of bank accounts of all DPWH regional directors and district engineers.
San Fernando further urged the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration to issue lookout bulletins against the owners and management of the top contractors implicated in the scandal.
“Kung nanggagalaiti tayo sa maling paggamit ng confidential funds, nararapat lang na mas galit dapat tayo sa mga flood control projects na nagnanakaw ng daang bilyong pondo. Ibigay natin ang parehong galit at enerhiya sa mga ganitong bagay. Dapat may mapanagot, at dapat magsimula yan kay Sec. Bonoan,” San Fernando concluded.
