DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan supports the stand for a lifestyle check on all public officials, urging that it should be done immediately.
The statement was made in a radio interview after President Bongbong Marcos Jr. ordered all government officials to undergo lifestyle checks.
Yet, he was refuted as to why he did not question the wealth of some DPWH officials.
Bonoan was also faced with calls to resign or to take a leave from his position as the DPWH chief.
He accepted the demands for accountability, yet he also did “not condone corruption” during his tenure in the department.
The main focus, according to him, was to run after the accountable officials “who are involved in misfeasance.”
“Open naman at mabuti at makita nating lahat kung anong lifestyle check ng ating mga tauhan dito sa department. We have to give them also the benefit of the doubt. Matagal na din silang nagsisilbi sa DPWH... kung paano sila naka-ipon. I accepted the accountability pero at the same time do not [condone] corruption in my stint with the department. Basta gawin lang natin yung tama na pinagagawa ni presidente and to run after yung mga tauhan namin who are involved in such misfeasance,” Bonoan said.
‘ITS UP TO HIM’
When asked about the alleged bribery of Batangas First District Engr. Abelardo Calalo to Rep. Leandro Leviste, he showed dismay and said that it was “up to him.”
He also suspects Calalo of purportedly conspiring with the Batangas Engineering District.
“It's up to him. Pinasukan kasi niya yung ganitong gulo, itong engineer na ito. I think he's on his own. I don't want to provide any suggestion or anything to him kasi unang-una, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganun ang inasal ng district engineer. So sad, actually, on my part nagkaroon ng ganito, ng tao na again nabahiran na naman ang image ng DPWH because of his action. Sa tingin ko may mga kasabwat din siya siguro sa Batangas Engineering District na yan,” he said.
Yesterday, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. ordered a lifestyle check on all public officials, where the first ones to be investigated are the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
