Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday, September 9 linked former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan, citing family and corporate connections that he said formed part of a web of corruption.
In his second privilege speech on the issue, Lacson said it was “no wonder” that Bonoan downplayed ghost projects in Bulacan as “isolated cases” when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised concerns earlier this year.
“Ayaw na siguro ni Bonoan na maungkat pa sa imbestigasyon ang Globalcrete,” Lacson said.
This after Lacson described Bulacan as the “national sewer of corrupted flood control projects,” pointing to billions of pesos in contracts awarded to Globalcrete Builders between 2018 and 2024.
“Mr. President, Bulacan has proven to be the national sewer of corrupted flood control projects. Hindi NA NAKAPAGTATAKA NA marami ANG nagkakalkal ng record ng mga contractors sa BUONG probinsya,” Lacson said.
“Isa na rito ang Globalcrete Builders na kumubra ng P2.195 bilyon flood control projects mula 2018 hanggang 2024 sa Bulacan pa lamang,” he added.
The firm, he said, is owned by the Maglanque family of Candaba, led by Mayor Rene Maglanque. The senator said the Maglanques also control MBB Global Properties Corporation, which owns the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Clark, Pampanga — a nearly ₱1-billion project.
Corporate records from 2024 listed Macy Monique Maglanque as president, Sunshine M. Bernardo as corporate secretary, and Fatima Gay B. (Bonoan) Dela Cruz as treasurer.
“Maglanque, Bernardo, Bonoan — MBB,” Lacson emphasized, pointing out that the surnames correspond to Mayor Maglanque; former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who recently retired amid controversy; and former Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Lacson said that the daughters of these officials held positions in the property firm.
The senator described the revelations as part of a “growing family business,” echoing Mayor Maglanque’s own admission.
He noted that the repeated appearance of the Maglanque, Bernardo, and Bonoan names in both government and private ventures reinforced suspicions of conflicts of interest.
Lacson noted that Mayor Maglanque himself signed contracts as president of Globalcrete in 2024 despite holding public office.
He quoted Maglanque’s own words: “Isa akong malaking kontratista, kilala sa buong Pilipinas na nangongontrata. At bilyon bilyon ang proyekto ko sa buong Pilipinas.”
Meanwhile, Lacson warned that the patience of the public is running thin: “Our people are growing impatient – and angry.”
Lacson also urged investigators to “connect the dots” between contractors and government officials, vowing that the Senate would use its oversight powers to ensure accountability.
“We are not in the business of quick fixes and band-aid solutions,” he said, pressing for criminal and administrative cases to be filed against those implicated.
