Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manny Bonoan has not returned to the United States, according to the latest records from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricfort, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told DZRH News that there is no new outbound travel recorded for Bonoan.

Sandoval emphasized that Bonoan must first obtain permission from the Manila court that issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against him before leaving the country.

Previously, Bonoan was able to travel abroad even under an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) amid the flood control controversy, which served only for monitoring purposes.

However, with the issuance of the PHDO, he is now prohibited from leaving the Philippines unless specifically allowed by the court.

When asked about the process should he be granted permission, Sandoval explained that it would depend on the restrictions set by the court. She added that the BI would not monitor Bonoan’s travel, nor would personnel accompany him, as this is beyond their jurisdiction.

Bonoan had earlier stated that he planned to return to the US to be with his wife, who is scheduled for a medical procedure there.

The former DPWH chief left the country with his wife on November 11, 2025, and returned to the Philippines on January 18 to attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) may still issue a summons for Bonoan if he is not yet cleared, pending the eventual decision of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos on the commission’s future.