A progressive group, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK), has opposed the Office of the Ombudsman’s plan to make former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan a state witness in flood-control corruption cases, saying it would allow him to avoid full accountability.
The group argued that granting him state witness status would reward wrongdoing and insisted that testimonies from other former DPWH officials are already sufficient to support the cases.
SPARK also criticized what it called special treatment for Bonoan, urging the Ombudsman to act faster and ensure that officials involved in alleged irregularities are held fully accountable.
The group said delays in filing charges weaken the government’s anti-corruption efforts and called for the imposition of maximum penalties on those responsible.
The Ombudsman, however, defended the move, saying Bonoan’s insider knowledge is crucial to uncovering corruption in DPWH budget processes.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 3, 2026
