The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has recommended administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral, and eight other officials in connection with the alleged ₱72-million “ghost” flood control project in Bulacan.
In its interim report, the ICI said the former officials may have violated Grave Misconduct, Gross Dishonesty, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The commission stressed that Bonoan failed to exercise due diligence in ensuring the proper use of public funds entrusted to the DPWH.
“Clearly, public trust was reposed on Sec. Bonoan to exercise control of DPWH as its Secretary. The above-described scheme perpetrated by senior DPWH employees was made possible because Secretary Bonoan betrayed such trust reposed on him,” the report stated.
“He miserably failed to exercise simple diligence tantamount to fraud in ensuring the judicious use of public funds entrusted to DPWH. As clearly shown by DPWH documents cited herein, the plunder of public funds happened right under his nose,” it added.
According to the ICI, the alleged corruption could have continued unchecked if not exposed earlier.
“Were it not for the President’s 2025 SONA, Secretary Bonoan’s inexcusable negligence tantamount to fraud would have resulted in further plunder of public funds,” the report added.
Criminal cases also recommended
Apart from administrative sanctions, the ICI also recommended criminal charges against former DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, Eumir Villanueva — owner of Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. — and five other individuals.
Possible charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Malversation and Falsification, Presidential Decree No. 1759, and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The ICI said it will continue its investigation to identify other individuals who may be involved in the alleged scheme.
As of posting, the camp of Bonoan and the other officials named in the report has yet to issue a statement.
