ExDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately fed false data to Malacañang regarding ghost flood control projects, possibly to throw off the investigation into the matter, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared Wednesday.
Lacson cited “very reliable information” reaching him showing the data led to incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects nationwide.
“I received reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacañang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country, which formed part of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website. This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects on previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public by the said department and which they are now trying to rectify by comparing the records in their multi-year planning and scheduling or MYPS, Project and Contract Management Application or PCMA, and other related documents that remain intact and in the possession of the Department,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
“Even if he insists he is not a principal player, we can very clearly see his complicity in covering up the crime,” he added, in a mix of English and Filipino.
Lacson said he is not discounting the possibility that Bonoan – who former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified had received billions of pesos in kickbacks related to infrastructure projects – may have done this to weaken or discredit the government’s efforts to get to the bottom of the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects.
“He is misleading the Palace to weaken or discredit the investigation into ghost flood control projects. If several projects in the Sumbong Sa Pangulo website turn out to be false, people will think it is not reliable,” he said.
He added this could be why Bonoan at first contested the data on at least one ghost flood control project in Mindoro in his first privilege speech on the subject last year.
“That could be why he claimed the grid coordinates in the projects we cited were wrong – because he knew he gave the wrong data. But little did he know that we used different sources in locating and identifying ghost flood control projects in my two privilege speeches,” he said.
He said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, intends to get to the bottom of this in its next hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, by subpoenaing DPWH documents, including those left by the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral before she died.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has said he will send two undersecretaries to testify on the matter, and to bring the related documents, he added.
Lacson said Bonoan will be one of the personalities that the Blue Ribbon Committee will subpoena in its Jan. 19 hearing. If he still fails to show up, he will be cited in contempt of the committee, and a legislative arrest warrant may be issued against him.
If this happens, he said the committee will make arrangements with Philippine ambassador to the US Jose “Babe” Romualdez to coordinate with US authorities to deport Bonoan to the country.
“Bonoan’s stay in the US will expire, he cannot stay there forever. The longest stay in the US is six months. Beyond that, his stay will become unauthorized and he may be arrested and brought back, either through extradition or deportation,” he said.
Alleged Torre Custody Bid
Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee also intends to clarify with former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo the circumstances behind a failed attempt by former PNP chief and now MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III to take Bernardo under Torre’s custody, “and find out for what purpose.”
He said this happened before Bernardo’s third appearance, where Bernardo learned Torre was to give him sanctuary, but he did not want to be under his custody. At the time, Torre was not yet MMDA General Manager.
“It is still a big wonder sa akin bakit napasok sa scene si Gen. Torre (It is still a big wonder to me why Torre entered the scene),” Lacson said.
Also, Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee will also seek further clarification from the BGC Boys over reports that they have recanted or are planning to recant their testimonies before the committee or any other investigating body.
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