THE MAN WHO volunteered to lead the internal probe into the massive corruption at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is himself facing the possibility of being investigated over the anomalous government flood control projects.
In a privilege speech, Senator Panfilo Lacson particularly hinted at former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan whose daughter is a part owner of a construction firm which cornered flood control project contracts with a combined amount of P2.195 billion.
Lacson, who now sits as chairman of the senate blue ribbon committee following the ouster of Senator Francis Escudero as Senate President, bared Bonoan’s ties with Globalcrete Builders, the construction company which was awarded flood control contracts in a province notoriously famous for floods — Bulacan.
“Globalcrete Builders… kumubra ng P2.195 billion flood control projects mula 2018 hanggang 2024 sa Bulacan pa lamang,” Lacson said in his second installment of his speech entitled “Flooded Gates of Corruption.”
GLOBAL CRETE BUILDERS
According to Lacson, the Globalcrete Builders is owned by Candaba Mayor Rene Maglangque. Interestingly, Candaba in itself is notoriously famous for floods in view of its geographical contour.
To prove his claim, the veteran senator known for his anti-pork barrel stance, said that Maglangque himself is the signatory of a contract that was awarded in 2024.
“Si Mayor Rene Maglanque ang presidente noong 2024 na kung saan may mga kontrata na siya mismo ang pumirma,” Lacson averred.
He likewise took a swipe at the mayor’s misplaced arrogance in the construction industry — “Isa akong malaking kontratista, kilala sa buong Pilipinas na nangongontrata. At bilyon-bilyon ang proyekto ko sa buong Pilipinas.”
CONNECTING THE DOTS
While Bonoan’s daughter — Fatima Gay Bonoan-dela Cruz, doesn’t form part of the Globalcrete Builders, her name has been publicly-listed as the corporate treasurer of MBB Global Properties Corporation which built the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Clark.
Aside from Fatima Gay, former DPWH Secretary Roberto Bonoan who has since gone on “leave” even before Bonoan resigned, is also believed to be an incorporator of the MBB Global Properties Corporation.
MBB (Global Properties Corporation) stands for Maglanque, Bonoan and Bernardo. A check at the 2024 industry record showed Macy Monique Maglanque (currently a labor attaché in Los Aneles, USA) as president, Sunshine M. Bernardo as corporate secretary, and Fatima Gay Bonoan-Dela Cruz as treasurer.
“Kayo na po ang mag-connect the dots,” he added, stressing that the corporate officers were the daughters of the named officials.
DEFENSE MECHANISM
Previously, Bonoan tried to cover-up the flood control brouhaha by insisting that ghost projects in Bulacan were “isolated cases.”
“Ayaw na siguro ni Bonoan na maungkat pa sa imbestigasyon ang Globalcrete,” Lacson said even as he released names of district and project engineers that allegedly conspired with private contractors.
The list included former District Engineer Henry Alcantara Bulacan First District Engineering OIC Brice Ericson Hernandez, Assistant District Engineer Jaypee de Guzman, Engineer Arjay Domasig and Edrick San Diego.
Before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted Bonoan’s resignation, then DPWH chief formed a task force composed of in-house officials to investigate anomalies behind the ghost flood control projects.
A formal request has already been submitted by Secretary Vince Dizon to the Department of Justice for the issuance of an immigration lookout order against the former DPWH chief.