Senator Win Gatchalian has criticized former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan for denying knowledge of widespread corruption in flood control projects during his leadership of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Speaking in a televised interview, Gatchalian linked Bonoan directly to the irregularities now under Senate investigation.
“Bonoan was there and he should be because all of this mess that we are in right now is because of him,” Gatchalian said.
“The DPWH was under his management for the last three years, and it’s impossible for the head of the agency not to detect any of these large-scale corruption happening under your nose.”
The senator rejected Bonoan’s claim of limited supervision, insisting the former secretary had full control of the agency.
“This is not an isolated one corruption case. This is a large-scale scam, and it’s impossible for the head of the agency, who controls the agency, he was claiming that he only has supervision, but that’s not true,” he added. “That’s a blatant lie to the public.”
Bonoan resigned in September 2025 amid the controversy and was succeeded by Vince Dizon, formerly of the Department of Transportation.
Drawing from his own experience as Valenzuela City mayor, Gatchalian stressed that corruption rarely escapes the notice of an agency head.
“And you take action to prevent that from spreading because if you allow a small corruption to happen, definitely it will spread. Nakakahawa ang korapsyon. It will spread in your organization,” he said.
He underscored that the DPWH scandal involved ghost projects nationwide and kickbacks ranging from 20% to over 50%, based on testimonies presented to the Senate.
“But this is not a small-scale corruption. This is a large-scale corruption. We are talking about ghost projects all over the country. We are talking about kickbacks amounting to 20 to 25%, even more than 50% (based on) the testimonies that I’ve heard,” Gatchalian said.
The senator concluded that systemic corruption had long plagued the DPWH and worsened under Bonoan’s watch, noting that internal audit mechanisms should have flagged the irregularities.
“If you’re there every single day, 365 days a year for three years, you will have some sense that something’s happening in your organization. You take action. What’s important here is you take action,” he said.