The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed the arrival in the country of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan at NAIA on Sunday morning, January 18.

Bonoan arrived aboard a China Airlines flight CI0701 from Taipei.

He is listed on the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) following an order from the Department of Justice (DOJ) due to his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control and “ghost” projects.

According to records, Bonoan left the country last year to accompany his wife to the United States for a medical procedure. He arrived now without any traveling companion.

The BI stated that the ILBO is to immediately notify authorities of the arrival or departure of persons under investigation.

The information was immediately relayed to the DOJ in accordance with existing rules.

Bonoan is among those issued a subpoena to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control scandal.

Apart from Bonoan, subpoenas were also issued to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana, former Special Envoy to China Maynard Ngu, and former Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.

Last week, Bonoan was accused of placing false coordinates on “ghost” flood control projects to mislead investigators.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated Bonoan and Olaivar in kickbacks for flood control and other infrastructure projects.

A threat was made to recommend the issuance of arrest warrants if those subpoenaed do not attend the hearing.

NAIA

NAIA, or Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is the primary international gateway serving Manila, Philippines. Named in 1987 in honor of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose assassination at the airport in 1983 was a pivotal event leading to the People Power Revolution, its original terminal opened in 1981 and has since expanded to four terminals to handle the country’s major air traffic.

Bureau of Immigration

The Bureau of Immigration is the primary government agency of the Philippines responsible for border control, immigration, and citizenship regulation. It was formally established in 1940 under Commonwealth Act No. 613, though its origins trace back to earlier American colonial administration. Today, it enforces immigration laws, processes visas, and manages the entry and stay of foreign nationals in the country.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the primary engineering and construction arm of the Philippine government, responsible for the planning, design, and maintenance of national infrastructure like highways, bridges, and flood control systems. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period as the *Dirección General de Obras Públicas* and has evolved through various reorganizations, most notably under its current name after the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Its history reflects the nation’s ongoing efforts to develop and connect its communities through critical public infrastructure.

Department of Justice

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is the federal executive department responsible for enforcing federal law and administering justice, established by Congress in 1870. It is headed by the Attorney General, an office created in 1789, and oversees agencies like the FBI, DEA, and federal prosecutors. Its history reflects the evolving role of the federal government in law enforcement, civil rights, and legal affairs.

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is a special investigative body within the Philippine Senate, established to probe major issues of national importance, such as corruption scandals and government anomalies. Its history dates back to the post-war era, with its modern form solidified in the 1990s, and it has been central to many high-profile inquiries that have shaped the country’s political landscape.

Ako Bicol Party-list

“Ako Bicol Party-list” is a political organization in the Philippines, not a physical place or cultural site. It is a party-list group representing the Bicol Region in the House of Representatives, advocating for the welfare and development of Bicolanos. Founded in 2009, it has consistently won seats in Congress by focusing on regional issues and social services.

Commission on Audit

The Commission on Audit (COA) is the supreme audit institution of the Philippines, established by the 1987 Constitution to examine and audit all government revenue, expenditure, and use of public funds. Its origins trace back to the Auditing Office created under American colonial rule in 1899, evolving through various legal frameworks to ensure government accountability and transparency. Today, it functions as an independent constitutional body tasked with promoting sound fiscal management and preventing corruption within the Philippine government.

Department of Education

The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level federal agency established in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter, though its origins trace back to an office created in 1867. Its primary mission is to promote student achievement, ensure equal access to education, and enforce federal education laws. It administers federal financial aid programs, collects educational data, and focuses on national education policy rather than managing local schools.