Marcos keeps trust in DPWH chief Bonoan despite ghost, overpriced flood control project controversies; Senate probe, kickback claims heat up. (DPWH Photo)
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to back Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan despite mounting calls for his resignation over alleged ghost and overpriced flood control projects nationwide.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Wednesday, August 27, said the President has not indicated any plan to let go of Bonoan.
“As of the moment, nandiyan pa rin po ang trust niya,” Castro told reporters in a press briefing.
The controversy comes after Marcos himself ordered a crackdown on anomalous flood control projects, following weeks of massive flooding across the country that displaced thousands of families.
Bonoan, for his part, maintained that he serves at the pleasure of the President. “It will be up to him if I remain in my post,” he said.
From July 2022 to May 2025, the DPWH has implemented 9,855 flood control projects worth P545.64 billion, according to government data.
Ghost projects
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is currently investigating bogus DPWH projects, including a P55.7-million reinforced concrete river wall in Baliuag, Bulacan that Marcos inspected last week.
Though listed as completed and fully paid as of June 2025, the project site in Barangay Piel showed no actual structures. The contractor, Syms Construction Trading, began the project in February 2025 with an October 2025 deadline.
Bonoan said he has already relieved several district engineering officials over irregularities, including 10 personnel from Bulacan’s 1st District Engineering Office.
Kickback claims
Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has submitted documents to the Palace alleging that some lawmakers pocketed 30% to 40% kickbacks from infrastructure projects.
Castro said Marcos is open to discussing Magalong’s claims and the mayor has expressed willingness to appear before Congress to testify.
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