Daven Tamayo

Ombudsman: Bonoan intends to testify in Romualdez flood control scam case

Article (news)

Daniza Fernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178282775442920260119-senate-probe-flood-control-manuel-bonoan-JC9754.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Former DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan attends the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan attends the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan intends to shed light on the supposed involvement of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control anomaly, the Office of the Ombudsman said on Tuesday.</p><p>The Ombudsman earlier filed a motion to discharge Bonoan, who is facing graft and plunder charges also in relation to the flood control scandal, to make him a state witness.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/ex-dpwh-chief-bonoan-eyed-as-state-witness-ombudsman-1604">READ: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan eyed as state witness — Ombudsman </a></div><p>Romualdez has repeatedly denied receiving kickbacks from projects aimed to mitigate flooding.</p><p>Currently, Romualdez&#x27; case at the Ombudsman is at the preliminary investigation level.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/ex-dpwh-chief-bonoan-eyed-as-witness-in-revilla-malversation-trial-1149">READ: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan considered as witness in Revilla malversation trial — prosecution</a></div><p>“‘Yung kaso po ni former Speaker Martin Romualdez is getting stronger by the day,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a briefing.</p><p>Bonoan’s age and health are among the considerations why the Ombudsman accepted Bonoan’s offer to be a state witness.</p><p>“It was a tough decision for the office to arrive at that na i-accept namin si former Secretary Manny Bonoan as a state witness,” Clavano said. “Kung na-convict si former Secretary Manny Bonoan for 40 years, sa tingin n’yo po ba he will last until 120 years old sa loob ng kulungan? That was one consideration.”</p><p>Bonoan was scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, but it was reset to July 28 following the motion to discharge him.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LOOMING CHARGE VS MARCOLETA</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Clavano said they understand the plight of some members of Iglesia ni Cristo who trooped to EDSA to protest the looming non-bailable charge against Senator Rodante Marcoleta.</p><p>The Ombudsman announced on Monday that it will file a plunder charge against Marcoleta for his non-disclosure of P75 million in campaign donations in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth and in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.</p><p>The donors, former Quezon City Rep. Michael Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray, will also be charged.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/protesters-at-manila-rally-question-looming-marcoleta-plunder-case-1414">READ: Protesters at Manila rally question looming Marcoleta plunder case</a></div><p>“Kung accountability at transparency ang kanilang pinaglalaban, ‘yun din po ang aming pinaglalaban dito sa Office of the Ombudsman na lahat ng nagkakamali ay mananagot sa batas,” Clavano said.</p><p>“We understand what they’re [protesters] fighting for. But we, ourselves, are fighting for the same things,” he said.</p><p>The Ombudsman said the charge will be filed before the Sandiganbayan within the week.</p>

<p>Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan intends to shed light on the supposed involvement of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control anomaly, the Office of the Ombudsman said on Tuesday.</p>

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan intends to shed light on the supposed involvement of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the flood control anomaly, the Office of the Ombudsman said on Tuesday.