Bonoan ready to bare SALN, forms anti-corruption task force

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said he is open to releasing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's order to conduct a lifestyle check on government officials.

“We welcome that,” Bonoan said during an exclusive interview with Joseph Morong, aired on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

Task force

Furthermore, Bonoan said his department’s newly-formed Anti-Corruption Task Force will encourage the public to report questionable projects of the DPWH.

“To be able for them to receive complaints about our people and do checking on them, kung may (if there are) corruption practices,” Bonoan said.

The DPWH secretary believes Marcos still has confidence in him, as the President had ordered to fast-track the investigations into the allegedly anomalous flood control projects.

DPWH is focusing on the possible filing of complaints against those responsible for the flood control projects in Bulacan, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, and Iloilo.

“I serve at the pleasure of the President naman, and I think, at this time, the President has continuously instructed me to continue and expedite the investigations that we are doing and file cases,” Bonoan said.

“Let those who have betrayed public trust be answerable for their own action,” he added.

Bonoan further said, “Well, I would rely on my other people,” in response to critics who say he should know what’s happening under the agency.

DPWH is implementing 10,000 projects across the country, in which the undersecretary, assistant secretary, and regional directors have authority.

The agency has around 200 district engineers across the 17 regional offices.

SALN

According to Bonoan, some DPWH officials have already submitted their SALN, which is a public record that can be examined.

“Yeah, yeah, well if there’s going to be a formal lifestyle check that will be carried on, I think public document naman ‘to eh,” the secretary said.

“We just have to, we’re just three years in this administration, and I also came from the private sector, but I’m open for anything,” he added.

The SALN is a declaration of assets, liabilities, and net worth that government officials submit annually.

According to Malacañang, the DPWH, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Ombudsman can conduct a lifestyle check.

However, in 2020, recently retired Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a memorandum stating that SALNs cannot be released without the owner’s permission.

Further, the Ombudsman can only conduct a lifestyle check if there is a verified complaint and evidence against government officials submitted to his office.

Martires barred lifestyle checks since he claimed these could be used to destroy the image of government officials.

Currently, Dante Vargas serves as the acting Ombudsman.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Vargas’ office regarding the Ombudsman’s proposed response to the President’s directive, but it said that they have yet to make a statement.

Lifestyle checks

Meanwhile, the BIR is conducting a lifestyle check not only on government officials but also on contractors, who are possible accomplices.

“Nakikita natin na marami silang ari-arian na fino-flaunt at nakikita natin na malaki ang kanilang mga properties ‘yung titingnan natin, so ibabangga natin ‘yan sa revenues,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumangui, Jr. said.

(We can see that they are flaunting many properties, and we can also see that these properties are quite large. So, what we will compare that with their declared revenues.)

The DPWH said it is also doing lifestyle checks on their end. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News