Ched Rick Gatchalian

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan answers questions after the launch of the  Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones (BBM) project after formal Ceremonies at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in, Barangay Alas-Asin, Mariveles, Bataan on March 31, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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DPWH chief on resign calls: Easy to do, but not the way to find solution

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175652913864620230331-bonoan-manuel-cavite-bataan-bridge-JC-1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan answers questions after the launch of the  Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones (BBM) project after formal Ceremonies at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in, Barangay Alas-Asin, Mariveles, Bataan on March 31, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan answers questions after the launch of the  Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones (BBM) project after formal Ceremonies at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in, Barangay Alas-Asin, Mariveles, Bataan on March 31, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Saturday he will not abandon his responsibility to probe alleged corruption in substandard or missing flood control projects, amid calls for his resignation.</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&amp;v=764929843033074&amp;rdid=NAuoshsNOD3zcDPw">video message</a> posted on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)&#x27;s Facebook page, Bonoan said it is &quot;very painful&quot; to accept that the recent issues hounding infrastructure projects are happening under his watch.</p><p>&quot;Nakakasakit po ito ng dibdib and napakasakit pong tanggapin ang mga nangyayaring ito sa ilalim ng aking panunungkulan, kahit ano pong higpit at strikto ng ating polisiya laban sa katiwalian,&quot; he said.</p><p>(It is heartbreaking and very painful to accept that these things are happening under my watch, no matter how strict our policies are against corruption.)</p><p>Bonoan stressed he is willing to take accountability for the alleged irregularities in the agency, but emphasized he would not condone any form of corruption.</p><p>He acknowledged calls for his resignation and said it would be easy to do but that he would be turning his back on the problem in the department he leads.</p><p>&quot;Pero hindi po ang pag-alis o pag-iwas ng responsibilidad ng tamang paraan ng paghahanap ng solusyon. Sa akin po tatanggapin ko ang accountability. Pero tandaan po ninyo hindi ko po kukunsintihin o papayagan ang anumang uri ng korapsyon,&quot; he continued.</p><p>(But leaving or avoiding responsibility is not the right way to find a solution. I will accept accountability. But remember that I will never condone or allow any form of corruption.)</p><p>Several individuals and a lawmaker earlier urged Bonoan to resign as DPWH chief, after<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/marcos-inspects-flood-control-project-in-bulacan-as-probe-intensifies-0913"> President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected a P55-million river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, Bulacan</a>, and found out that — despite being marked as completed — the structure has not even started.</p><p>Bonoan admitted that he only recently learned of the ghost projects and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/19/dpwh-chief-admits-existence-of-ghost-flood-control-projects-vows-probe-1233">vowed to investigate them.</a></p><p>The DPWH secretary said he will not vacate his post as Marcos instructed him to continue the probe.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DPWH ACTIONS</strong></div><p>Bonoan emphasized in his message that the department would go after erring contractors or DPWH officials identified in their investigation.</p><p>&quot;Gusto nating managot ang dapat managot, makulong ang dapat makulong,&quot; he said.</p><p>He also discussed some initial actions that the agency had taken to address the issue. These include imposing preventive suspension on employees of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/21/p55-m-ghost-river-wall-project-in-baliwag-skipped-local-gov-t-oversight-lgu-says-1651"><strong>P55-M &#x27;ghost&#x27; river wall project in Baliwag skipped local gov&#x27;t oversight, LGU says</strong></a></div><p>Bonoan also mentioned the Comission on Audit (COA)&#x27;s on-going fraud audit of all flood cotrol projects in Bulacan as he urged the public to let the investigation run its course.</p><p>COA is conducting technical inspection of all ongoing and completed flood control projects in the province from January 2022 to July 2025, focusing on physical existence and status, as well as compliance with approved design and specifications.</p><p>Bonoan further noted that the DPWH had suspended Batangas district engineer Abelardo Calalo, who allegedly attempted to bribe Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/dpwh-district-engineer-arrested-for-allegedly-trying-to-bribe-batangas-solon-2153">engineer was arrested</a> but later released after posting bail. Most staff from Batangas 1st DEO have been reassigned to the regional office, while the regional director has also been reassigned.</p><p>Bonoan added they are currently validating the flood control projects in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas that were done from July 2022 to May 2025.</p><p>He also mentioned the creation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee, which was formed through the Department Order No. 166, dated August 28, 2025.</p><p>The committee shall &quot;investigate graft and corrupt practices allegedly perpetrated by officials and/ or employees of the Department.&quot;</p><p>Bonoan maintained there are still many &quot;decent and excellent&quot; officials of DPWH amid criticisms.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NCp1ZtwWINs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Saturday he will not abandon his responsibility to probe alleged corruption in substandard or missing flood control projects, amid calls for his resignation.</p>

Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Saturday he will not abandon his responsibility to probe alleged corruption in substandard or missing flood control projects, amid calls for his resignation.

DPWH chief on resign calls: Easier to do, but not the right way to find solution

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DPWH chief on resign calls: Easier to do, but not the right way to find solution

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2025 01:19 PM PHT

|

Updated August 30, 2025 05:31 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

Department of Public Works and Highways

Manuel Bonoan

Flood control projects

Corruption

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