MANILA – Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan may have crucial information to disclose as a potential state witness in the flood control scandal but should also be required to make restitution for public funds allegedly lost to the anomalies.

In a statement, Lacson said Bonoan’s testimony could expose details involving questionable flood control and other infrastructure projects, as well as individuals who allegedly dealt with him.

“He certainly has a lot to reveal – from allocables to anomalous flood control and other defective infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the P500M in exchange for his Commission on Appointments confirmation as DPWH secretary in November 2022. With this new development, those who had direct dealings with him must be quaking in their boots,” Lacson said.

His statement came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that the Office of the Ombudsman would ask the Sandiganbayan to discharge Bonoan as an accused in cases involving alleged PHP573 million in kickbacks from flood control projects.

According to Remulla, the prosecution has a “side agreement” with Bonoan for his cooperation as a state witness.

Bonoan is currently a co-accused of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division and in two counts of graft.

Lacson, however, said Bonoan should also be required to return funds allegedly lost in the flood control controversy.

He said the amount of restitution should consider earlier testimonies presented before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, including the testimony of former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that projects he handled for Bonoan totaled at least PHP5 billion annually from 2023 to 2025 with an average 15 percent commitment.

Lacson also cited testimony from former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara regarding an alleged two-percent standard operating procedure (SOP).

“At the very least, the amount must be based on earlier testimonies by resource persons of the Blue Ribbon Committee under my watch,” Lacson said.