Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan denied allegations that he attempted to leave the country to evade prosecution as he faces plunder complaints linked to flood control projects, saying he has remained in the Philippines and intends to respond through the legal process.
Bonoan said he returned to the country last month from the United States, where he accompanied his wife for a medical procedure. He stressed that the trip was personal and rejected claims that it was connected to the cases filed against him.
The former DPWH chief appeared before the Department of Justice on the first day of the preliminary investigation into plunder complaints involving flood control projects. He appeared alongside former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, who is also named as a respondent in the cases.
Alcantara is listed as a co-respondent in plunder cases involving former senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada. Bonoan, for his part, is a co-respondent in the plunder case involving Estrada.
Asked about claims that he intended to flee the country to avoid prosecution, Bonoan denied the allegation and said he is present to face the complaints. He said he still plans to travel abroad once his wife’s medical operation is scheduled, adding that the timing depends on her treatment.
Bonoan said he has not yet fully reviewed the complaint and its supporting documents, noting that the allegations require careful study. He said the issues raised are connected to Senate allocations and that he needs time to examine how these were applied to the questioned projects.
He is scheduled to return to the Department of Justice on February 12 to submit his counter-affidavit. Bonoan said a formal response will be filed once his legal team completes its review of the allegations.
