Bonoan linked to contractor, undersecretary’s alleged insertion offer
Metro Manila, Philippines - Just a week after stepping down as public works secretary, Manny Bonoan is now under scrutiny over his daughter’s alleged ties to a contractor involved in flood control projects and an undersecretary’s supposed role in budget insertions.
In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson drew attention to Globalcrete Builders, Inc., a firm owned by Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque. The contractor secured nearly ₱2.2 billion worth of flood control projects in Bulacan from 2018 to 2024.
Lacson questioned Maglanque’s alleged failure to divest from the company, which also owns MBB Global Properties.
He described this as a “growing family business” shared among Maglanque, Bonoan, and retired DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo—through their daughters. Citing a 2024 General Information Sheet, Lacson named the company’s officers:
President: Macy Monique Maglanque
Corporate secretary: Sunshine Bernardo
Treasurer: Fatima Gay Bonoan dela Cruz
“Maglanque, Bernardo, Bonoan — MBB,” Lacson emphasized.
“Kaya naman pala ang palaging depensa ni dating DPWH Secretary Bonoan – isolated case lang daw ang nakita ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na ghost project sa Bulacan. Ayaw na siguro ni Bonoan na maungkat pa sa imbestigasyon ang Globalcrete,” Lacson said.
[Translation: No wonder former DPWH Secretary Bonoan kept defending the ghost project in Bulacan as just an “isolated case” when President Bongbong Marcos flagged it. Perhaps he didn’t want Globalcrete to be dragged into the investigation.]
Senator Rodante Marcoleta echoed Lacson’s concerns, saying he was unsurprised by Bonoan’s alleged links. He also implicated Bonoan in DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral’s alleged anomalies, suggesting that Bonoan had given his “blessing” for her actions.
After Cabral denied the claims, Lacson presented a screenshot of a text message she allegedly sent to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, offering to insert ₱500 million worth of projects into the DPWH 2026 budget.
“Kasi kahapon po, gusto na niyang sabihin na lahat daw ng nangyayari sa kanyang opisina ay mayroon namang basbas ng secretary ng DPWH [Yesterday, she said that everything happening in her office had the secretary’s approval],” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta referred to statements made during a blue ribbon committee hearing, which he previously chaired before he was replaced by Lacson in a recent leadership reshuffle.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Bonoan for comment. He had earlier denied any involvement in irregularities and said his resignation was made out of command responsibility.
