November 11, 2025 | 9:08pm
MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan has left the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed Tuesday, November 1.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told Philstar.com that Bonoan departed the country while covered by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order that the Department of Justice (DOJ) previously issued.
“Upon encounter, immigration officers immediately coordinated with the DOJ to verify if a hold departure order or warrant of arrest was in effect,” Sandoval said.
She said the DOJ confirmed that no hold departure order had been issued against Bonoan, allowing him to travel abroad.
In a separate statement, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said Bonoan left for the United States to accompany his wife, who is scheduled for a medical procedure. His travel is expected to end by December 17.
This is amid an ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects under his term.
“Currently, there exists no legal prohibition to Bonoan’s constitutional right to travel,” Martinez said.
Under investigation for alleged negligence
Bonoan’s departure came days after the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) released a report accusing him of “inexcusable negligence tantamount to fraud” for failing to prevent the alleged plunder of public funds under his watch as DPWH secretary.
The ICI report, dated November 6, flagged several non-existent or anomalous flood control projects, including a P95-million flood project in Bulacan.
Bonoan resigned on September 1 amid the ongoing investigation. He was replaced by former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
ICI: Probe continues despite departure
ICI spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said the commission will continue its investigation and has already referred its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman “regardless of his whereabouts.”
“The ICI has already made recommendations and referrals with the Ombudsman on the possible liability of former DPWH Sec. Bonoan in connection with several anomalous infrastructure projects,” Hosaka said.
He clarified that the commission cannot issue hold departure orders, but can recommend inclusion in the DOJ’s lookout bulletin list.