Benitez urges Bonoan to go on leave amid flood control probe

Bacolod lone district Rep. Albee Benitez on Friday called on Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence after his agency found itself in hot water due to the failure of various flood control projects in the country.

“Out of delicadeza, and to help preserve the integrity of any inquiry, I respectfully urge the DPWH Secretary to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing,” Benitez said in a statement.

“This simple act of good faith will go a long way toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the process is impartial and credible,” he added.

His comments came in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s order to the DPWH to submit a list of flood control projects that were constructed since the start of his administration in 2022, and to subject all flood control structures to audit and performance reviews.

President Marcos criticized the failure of the country’s flood control projects during his recent State of the Nation Address.

He also lambasted officials and contractors who have profited off flood control projects that failed to mitigate floodwaters during the onslaught of monsoon rain.

Benitez questioned the propriety of Bonoan staying put as his agency is being investigated.

“When there are questions about a company’s finances, you don’t ask the accountant to audit himself. You bring in someone independent to find the truth,” said the lawmaker.

He added that the same principle should apply in government, as he underscored that “implementor should not be the evaluator.”