Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan, tagged in flood management mess, flies to US

Bonoan, who’s accompanying his spouse for a medical process, is just lined by a lookout order, which can’t forestall an individual from leaving the nation

MANILA, Philippines – Former Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan, among the many officers tagged within the flood management anomaly, is at present in another country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Tuesday, November 11.

“We affirm that former Secretary Manny Bonoan departed this afternoon for america through Taiwan,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval mentioned in a message.

“He’s lined by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) earlier issued by the Division of Justice (DOJ). Upon encounter, immigration officers instantly coordinated with the DOJ to confirm if a maintain departure order (HDO) or warrant of arrest was in impact. The DOJ confirmed that none exists therefore he was cleared to depart,” she added.

In an announcement, DOJ spokesperson Rafael Martinez additionally confirmed Bonoan’s journey and mentioned that the previous official has flown to the US to accompany his spouse for a medical process. Bonoan will stay there till December 17, 2025.

As said by the BI, the previous public works chief is just lined by an ILBO – which couldn’t forestall an individual from leaving the nation. It’s used for monitoring functions solely, and isn’t “a adequate prohibition for a topic’s departure from the Philippines,” as earlier defined by the DOJ.

Solely HDO and precautionary HDO can forestall an individual’s journey overseas.

“Presently, there exists no authorized prohibition to Bonoan’s constitutional proper to journey,” Martinez mentioned.

Bonoan was first put in sizzling water after the unraveling of flood management corruption experiences on his watch because the DPWH chief. Later, it was revealed that he additionally has hyperlinks to contractors because the DPWH awarded P2.5-billion price of tasks to his daughter’s enterprise companion.

Amid the flood management controversy, Bonoan resigned from his put up in August and was changed by Vince Dizon.

In its November 4 report despatched to the Workplace of the Ombudsman, the Unbiased Fee for Infrastructure (ICI) added Bonoan to the record of officers whom they advisable to face complaints.

The ICI advisable the submitting of administrative complaints in opposition to Bonoan and different officers over grave misconduct, gross dishonesty, conduct prejudicial to the perfect curiosity of the service, or for any violation of Republic Act No. 6713, or Code of Conduct and Moral Requirements for Public Officers and Staff. – Rappler.com