DPWH sec vows to probe ghost projects, file charges

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan emphasized in an interview at the House of Representatives on Tuesday that he has not benefited from any infrastructure projects and vowed to investigate ghost projects.

Bonoan stated he will file charges against anyone involved with ghost projects discovered by the President, including preventive suspension for district offices implicated in such projects.

House Infrastructure Committee Co-chair Representative Terry Ridon announced that InfraComm will start investigating flood control and other infrastructure projects on September 2, inviting DPWH, COA, BIR, and top contractors mentioned by the president.

Ridon stressed that criminal charges should be filed for ghost projects, making project engineers, district engineers, and contractors liable. He also noted that COA could face liability if they failed to identify issues in post-audits.

Bonoan clarified his command responsibility over DPWH while acknowledging that certain tasks have been delegated to other officials within the department.