Ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan misses Dec. 17 return date

3 months ago 41

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December 18, 2025 | 5:45pm

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan delivers a video message on Aug. 30, 2025.

DPWH via Facebook / Philstar.com's screenshot

MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has yet to return to the Philippines, despite a commitment made by his legal counsel that he would be back in the country by Dec. 17, 2025.

In a statement sent to reporters, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said there is no record of Bonoan’s arrival at any Philippine port of entry as of Thursday, December 18.

“Records show that he has not returned to the Philippines to date, despite indicating Dec. 17, 2025 as his return date in his letter, through counsel, on Nov. 10, 2025,” Sandoval said.

Left Philippines amid probe

Bonoan, who is the subject of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin over alleged negligence linked to anomalous flood control projects, left the Philippines on November 11 for the United States.

He transited through Taiwan before heading to the U.S., reportedly to accompany his wife for a medical procedure. His travel was expected to end by December 17.

Bonoan departed amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his term as Department of Public Works and Highways secretary.

The Department of Justice had earlier said that in the absence of a hold departure order, there was no legal restriction on his right to travel.

According to a November 6 report by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Bonoan is accused of “inexcusable negligence tantamount to fraud” for allegedly failing to prevent the misuse of public funds under his watch.

The findings relate to an alleged P95 million flood control project in Bulacan.