Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson believes former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan could provide crucial testimony after being admitted as a state witness in the government's ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
In a statement, Lacson said Bonoan's testimony could expose key details surrounding alleged irregularities, including fund allocations, defective infrastructure projects, and other transactions tied to the flood control controversy.
The development comes after the Office of the Ombudsman confirmed that Bonoan would serve as a state witness in the cases.
"He certainly has a lot to reveal — from allocables to anomalous flood control and other defective infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the P500M in exchange for his CA confirmation as DPWH secretary in November, 2022," Lacson said.
The senator added that officials who previously dealt with Bonoan may now face increased scrutiny.
"With this new development, those who had direct dealings with him must be quaking in their boots," he said.
Lacson also stressed that accountability should include financial restitution for any public funds proven to have been illegally obtained.
"Dapat talaga may restitution. At the very least, the amount must be based on earlier testimonies by resource persons of the BRC under my watch," he said.
Citing previous testimonies presented before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Lacson noted that the amount involved could be substantial.
"Yes. Yung kay Bernardo lang, P1-B na. Eh, yung 2% SOP pa as per Alcantara?" he added.
Bonoan's admission as a state witness is expected to play a significant role in the Ombudsman's continuing prosecution of the alleged flood control anomalies, with investigators seeking to establish the extent of the reported kickback scheme and identify those who may have benefited from it.
