President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. continues to trust Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan despite an ongoing investigation on the government’s flood-control projects, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Bonoan is not directly involved in the probe but is providing records needed by investigators.
“The President’s trust in Secretary Bonoan remains,” Castro told reporters in a briefing, indicating that the DPWH chief’s job remains secure despite the probe into his agency.
The investigation stems from an audit ordered by Mr. Marcos following his State of the Nation Address, in which he revealed that 15 contractors accounted for about 20 percent of the total funding for flood-control projects nationwide during the review period.
Castro said Mr. Marcos disclosed the list to show which companies secured the most projects, examine the quality of their work, and determine why they frequently won contracts.
Meanwhile, she warned the public against sending false reports to the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, saying that while tips could be sent anonymously, hoaxers should not attempt to waste state resources on tips that lead nowhere.
“Do not make a game out of it. Make sure your reports have some basis, so you don’t waste the government’s time, Castro said in Filipino.
On Monday, the President launched the website as part of a transparency campaign on the government’s flood-control projects, which have come under scrutiny for failing to prevent floods in key areas.
