Lacson: Flood works probe must net big fish

MANILA, Philippines — A big fish should be charged, prosecuted, convicted, and jailed to serve as an example to others amid ongoing investigations on allegedly anomalous flood control projects, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.

His colleague, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, called on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence “out of delicadeza” while investigations are ongoing.

“In my law enforcement days, this was called certainty of punishment. If there is no accountability or certainty of punishment, those involved in corruption will be emboldened to continue—and those who are not may be encouraged to engage in it,” Lacson said in a statement.

READ: Lacson details corruption schemes in flood control works

“Corruption, along with the loss of lives and taxpayers' hard-earned money, will continue if there is no certainty of punishment,” he added.

Take accountability

Gatchalian, in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday, said Bonoan's leave of absence could help erase doubts over ongoing probes.

“He should take accountability as the secretary. He should be the one answering questions regarding the issue,” he said.

Gatchalian noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had tapped the Department of Economy, Planning and Development to conduct a separate probe.

“It means the President doesn’t trust the DPWH to investigate itself. So what's important here is to restore the public's trust in the DPWH and ensure it doesn't happen again," he said.

3rd-party assessment

The senator also said Bonoan should have initiated reforms when he heard about the alleged anomalies in his agency.

“No secrets escape secretaries, and no secret escapes all of us. That all comes out eventually. He knows all about it because he's the chief executive of the agency,” he said.

“I was hoping that when he heard about that, he would have done something to stop it. He should have done something more transparent above board and initiated a third-party assessment if he suspected some anomalies in the agency. But we did not see any of that. It seems like it was just ignored just because it's already there,” Gatchalian added.

At the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to substantiate his allegations against lawmakers.

“The House will only take him seriously if his allegations on flood control anomalies are placed on the record, supported by documents and tested under questioning. That means naming names in the hearing, submitting contracts and fund flows, and swearing to the facts so accountability can follow,” Khonghun said on Sunday, following Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante's call for Magalong to do the same. —With reports from Keith Clores and Gillian Villanueva

(2025/08/25-05:40)

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