Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan leaves for US amid corruption probe

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan has departed for the United States to accompany his wife for a medical procedure.

The Bureau of Immigration confirmed his departure, stating he was under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez confirmed that Bonoan's movements are being "bantay-sarado" (closely monitored) by the Philippine government in real-time.

This monitoring is possible because he is under the ILBO, which tracks all movements of individuals linked to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Despite the monitoring, the DOJ clarified that Bonoan can still travel as he has no pending cases or a hold departure order in the Philippines.

Bonoan's trip is scheduled to last until December 17, 2025, and occurs amid an investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his tenure.

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has previously accused him of "inexcusable negligence tantamount to fraud" for allegedly failing to prevent the plunder of public funds.