Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan returned to the country Sunday morning, ending a two-month stay in the United States that had drawn scrutiny from government investigators.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Bonoan arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, via China Airlines flight CI0701 from Taipei.
According to immigration records, he arrived without any travel companions.
Bonoan’s arrival was immediately reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ), as he remains under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).
While the order does not prevent travel, it requires authorities to monitor and report the movements of individuals involved in significant investigations.
The former Cabinet official left the country on November 11, 2025, to accompany his wife for a medical procedure in the U.S.
While he originally promised the DOJ a return date of December 17, 2025, his stay was extended due to reported medical complications involving his wife’s surgery.
His return comes at a critical time for the ongoing investigation into alleged “ghost” projects and anomalies in the government’s multi-billion-peso flood control programs.
Last week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla noted that Bonoan was technically overstaying his visa in the U.S., while Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson recently alleged that Bonoan had “deliberately” provided incorrect grid coordinates for infrastructure projects during his tenure.
Bonoan is expected to be summoned to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as early as Monday to address these allegations and provide testimony on the flood control scandal.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that the bureau has fulfilled its protocol by notifying Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida of Bonoan’s re-entry into the country.