MANILA, Philippines – Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan has left the Philippines, traveling to the United States via Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated that upon encountering Bonoan, immigration officers immediately coordinated with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to verify if any hold departure order (HDO) or warrant of arrest was in effect.

“The DOJ confirmed that none exists, hence he was cleared to depart,” Sandoval told GMA News Online.

Medical Trip and Legal Status

The DOJ issued a separate statement confirming the nature and duration of Bonoan’s travel.

“We confirm the earlier departure of former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan for the United States of America to accompany his wife for the latter’s medical procedure. Travel has been reported to be up until December 17, 2025,” the DOJ stated. “Currently, there exists no legal prohibition to Bonoan’s constitutional right to travel.”

The DOJ acknowledged that Bonoan is covered by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO), which the department issued earlier. An ILBO requires immigration officers to monitor and report a subject’s departure but does not legally prohibit them from leaving the country, unlike an HDO.

Background on Resignation and Charges

Bonoan resigned as DPWH Secretary in August amid an ongoing probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects across the country.

Earlier this month, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Bonoan and other former DPWH officials. The recommendation specifically concerns a ₱95 million flood control project in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Bonoan is also scheduled to check claims regarding so-called “ghost projects” that were allegedly proposed by the DPWH.