MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson accused former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan of deliberately submitting false data to Malacañang on ghost flood control projects, possibly to disrupt the government’s investigation.

“I received reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacañang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country, which formed part of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website. This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects on previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public by the said department and which they are now trying to rectify by comparing the records in their multi-year planning and scheduling or MYPS, Project and Contract Management Application or PCMA, and other related documents that remain intact and in the possession of the Department,” Lacson said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Even if he insists he is not a principal player, we can very clearly see his complicity in covering up the crime,” he added.

Lacson said Bonoan—whom former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified had received billions of pesos in kickbacks—may have provided the false data to weaken or discredit the government’s probe into anomalous flood control projects.

“He is misleading the Palace to weaken or discredit the investigation into ghost flood control projects. If several projects in the Sumbong Sa Pangulo website turn out to be false, people will think it is not reliable,” he said.

Lacson noted that Bonoan initially contested the accuracy of the grid coordinates for at least one project in Mindoro.

“That could be why he claimed the grid coordinates in the projects we cited were wrong—because he knew he gave the wrong data. But little did he know that we used different sources in locating and identifying ghost flood control projects in my two privilege speeches,” he said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which Lacson chairs, plans to pursue the matter in its next hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, by subpoenaing DPWH documents, including those left by the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said he will send two undersecretaries to testify and present the related documents. Lacson added that Bonoan will be subpoenaed and could face contempt citations and a legislative arrest warrant if he fails to appear.

“Bonoan’s stay in the US will expire, he cannot stay there forever. The longest stay in the US is six months. Beyond that, his stay will become unauthorized and he may be arrested and brought back, either through extradition or deportation,” he said.

Lacson said the committee will also clarify with Bernardo the circumstances behind a failed attempt by former PNP chief and now MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III to take Bernardo under his custody.

“It is still a big wonder sa akin bakit napasok sa scene si Gen. Torre (It is still a big wonder to me why Torre entered the scene),” Lacson said.

The committee will also seek further clarification from the so-called BGC Boys regarding reports that they have recanted or may recant their testimonies before the committee or any other investigating body.