Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday accused former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan of deliberately submitting false information to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding hundreds of flood control projects nationwide.
Speaking at the “Kapihan sa Senado” media forum, Lacson said Bonoan allegedly provided Malacañang with incorrect grid coordinates, resulting in at least 421 so-called “ghost” flood control projects that had already been inspected and publicly reported by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“I received reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacanang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country,” Lacson said.
“This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects on previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public,” he added.
Lacson said the erroneous data were uploaded to the Sumbong sa Pangulo website—an online platform launched by the President to monitor project irregularities—misleading both government officials and the public on the actual status of major flood control initiatives.
“The department is now trying to rectify the mistakes by comparing records in their multi-year planning and scheduling system, project and contract management application, and other related documents,” Lacson said, noting that the original records remain intact within the DPWH.
The senator stressed that the errors could not be dismissed as accidental.
“Kasi na-check nga nila na mali-mali. Kung isa o dalawa lang yung mali, pwedeng inadvertently na-omit o kaya nagka-mali. Pero katakot-takot daw talaga and kita nila na deliberate yung pagsasubmit ng mali-maling grid coordinates,” he said.
“So sabi mo, sumbong sa Pangulo, niloko niya pa,” he added.
Lacson said he would subpoena Bonoan to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled on Monday, January 19. He also warned that authorities are monitoring Bonoan’s whereabouts, even overseas.
“Even in the absence of a judicial warrant, we can request the proper authorities para maibalik siya sa Pilipinas,” Lacson said.
“Akala niya, makakalibre siya. Pero yung records, hahabulin ka ng paper trail eh,” he added.