On Tuesday, September 9, Senate President Professional Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson unleashed an exposé linking former Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan to what he referred to as a “rising household enterprise” involving authorities flood management initiatives. These have been beneath congressional investigation for weeks now.
Lacson, who had simply been appointed chairman of the highly effective blue ribbon committee, made the revelation a day after assuming the place from Senator Rodante Marcoleta, following a management shake-up within the Senate on Monday, September 8.
Recognized for his finances exposés and thorough analysis, Lacson offered his findings in a privilege speech. He stated that the resigned DPWH chief is linked to MBB International Properties Company, owned by the Maglanque household of Candaba, Pampanga. The identical household additionally owns Globalcrete Builders, which secured billions’ value of flood management initiatives in Bulacan from 2018 to 2024.
Rappler obtained the data of each firms from the Securities and Change Fee (SEC) to verify the hyperlink, as offered by Lacson. Primarily based on the data, Globalcrete Builders was included by the Maglanque household, itemizing the next as its officers, as of Could 2025:
- Rene E. Maglanque – president/chairman
- Cecilla Sarmiento – treasurer
- Rene A. Maglanque Jr. – company secretary
- Yolanda Timbang – director
- Eufracio Timbang – director
MBB International Properties Company, in the meantime, is understood to function the P1-billion Wyndham Backyard Lodge in Clark, Pampanga, consistent with its enterprise of “actual property actions with personal or leased property.” It listed the next as its incorporators:
- Sunshine M. Bernardo
- Fatima Homosexual Bonoan dela Cruz
- Macy Monique A. Maglanque
Each SEC paperwork of the 2 firms — Globalcrete and MBB International Properties — listing the identical cellular contact quantity. Rappler reached out to the listed quantity for remark however has but to obtain a response. We first despatched an e mail, messages, and made a name on Sunday, September 14. We adopted up twice on Monday, September 15, by means of numerous channels, to no avail. We’ll replace this story as soon as we get a response.
Globalcrete’s Maglanque is the daughter of Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque; Fatima Homosexual is the daughter of former DPWH chief Bonoan; and Bernardo is the daughter of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. Lacson steered that the “MBB” acronym within the firm title, MBB International Properties, stands for his or her household names: Maglanque, Bernardo, and Bonoan.
Bernardo was amongst these named by former DPWH Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez throughout the Home Infrastructure Committee listening to on Tuesday, September 9, in reference to anomalies involving flood management initiatives. Based on Senator Lacson, Bernardo opted for early retirement when the investigation started. Nevertheless, stories quoting Bernardo point out that he’s on medical depart from July 28 to October 27.
P2.5 billion value of initiatives for Globalcrete
Former DPWH chief Bonoan was appointed to the place by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June 2022. He started his profession on the DPWH in 1966 and rose by means of the ranks to develop into a senior undersecretary earlier than retiring in 2010. He additionally served as performing DPWH secretary in 2007.
Rappler obtained data of contracts awarded to Globalcrete from 2022, when Bonoan assumed management of the DPWH, till 2025. Excluding two initiatives in 2022 value P52,452,254, a complete of over P2.5 billion (P2,511,861,853) was awarded to the corporate linked to Bonoan’s daughter, Fatima Homosexual, over the three-year interval.
The contracts for the 2 initiatives in 2022 took impact on February 28 and Could 20, respectively, which is why they have been excluded from the computation of Globalcrete’s initiatives beneath Bonoan’s time period, which started in June 2022.
In 2023, 5 initiatives totaling P317,418,135 have been awarded to Globalcrete. 4 of those have been flood management initiatives — three in Bulacan and one in Valenzuela Metropolis. All have been marked accomplished.
In 2024, beneath Bonoan’s management on the DPWH, Globalcrete secured its largest variety of contracts, totaling over P2.1 billion, or particularly P2,172,219,694.40, for 21 initiatives. Of those, 13 have been flood management initiatives positioned in Central Luzon — notably in Bulacan and Zambales — whereas the remaining concerned the development of multi-purpose halls and roads.
Lacson stated that Candaba Mayor Maglanque served as president of Globalcrete in 2024 and signed contracts on the corporate’s behalf, regardless of being required to divest.
In 2025, the Bonoan-linked agency was awarded a street mission in Bicol, amounting to P22,223,732.98.
Pampanga-based Globalcrete can be listed in Marcos’ Sumbong sa Pangulo web site, which particulars flood management initiatives awarded beneath his administration.
Earlier than his 2022 appointment, Bonoan was the president and CEO of Manila Toll Expressway Programs Inc., STAR Tollway Company, and Skyway Operations and Upkeep Company. He additionally served as a guide and adviser for the infrastructure sector of San Miguel Company.
Bonoan resigned from the DPWH on August 31 in the course of an investigation into anomalous flood management initiatives. He attended the primary two Senate hearings on August 19 and September 1. He excused himself from the proceedings of the September listening to, citing his resignation. Then-blue ribbon committee chair Marcoleta acceded to his request.
Lacson steered that Bonoan’s ties to MBB might clarify why he repeatedly downplayed the ghost initiatives in Bulacan, visited firsthand by Marcos, as remoted circumstances.
“Ayaw siguro ni Bonoan na maungkat pa sa imbestigasyon ang Globalcrete,” Lacson added. (Perhaps Bonoan didn’t wish to get Globalcrete investigated.)
Immigration lookout
On Wednesday, September 10, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon requested the justice division to subject an immigration lookout bulletin order towards Bonoan, Candaba Mayor Maglangue of and the company officers of MBB International Properties Company: Macy Maglanque, Fatime Homosexual Bonoan dela Cruz, and Sunshine Bernardo.
Dizon stated his request is consistent with an ongoing investigation into DPWH officers and “key officers of building firms allegedly concerned in ghost initiatives and/or substandard building of flood management initiatives.”
In the meantime, Division of Migrants Employees Secretary Hans Cacdac issued a recall order to Macy Maglanque, who’s at present a labor attaché assigned in Los Angeles, California, so she might face the investigation right here linking her to the case.
The Structure and numerous legal guidelines prohibit battle of curiosity amongst public officers, however none explicitly bars firms owned by their fast relations from securing authorities contracts.
Republic Act. No. 6173, which gives the Code of Conduct and Moral Requirements for Public Officers and Staff, states that battle of curiosity arises “when a public official or worker is a member of a board, an officer, or a considerable stockholder of a personal company or proprietor or has a considerable curiosity in a enterprise, and the curiosity of such company or enterprise, or his rights or duties therein, could also be against or affected by the trustworthy efficiency of official responsibility.”
Nevertheless, these legal guidelines might be circumvented when officers switch enterprise pursuits to relations, reminiscent of youngsters, permitting oblique participation in authorities contracts.
Rappler reached out to former DPWH chief Bonoan by way of textual content messages for remark, however he has but to reply as of posting. Our preliminary message was despatched on Sunday, adopted by two extra on Monday. We additionally tried to name him twice on Monday, however he didn’t choose up. We’ll replace this story as soon as he replies. – Rappler.com
