Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan returned to the Philippines and appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday as hearings continue into alleged irregularities in government-funded flood control projects.

Bonoan arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport over the weekend after being placed under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order in connection with the investigation.

During the hearing, Bonoan denied any ill intent, saying discrepancies in the location coordinates of flood control projects submitted to Malacañang resulted from the use of planning-stage data under the DPWH’s MYPS system and were not meant to mislead the President.

He also said he relied on information provided by his subordinates, including data consolidated by the late undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Undersecretary Claire Castro quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as expressing confidence that Bonoan would speak truthfully before the Senate.

“Naniniwala po ang Pangulo na si dating Secretary Manny Bonoan ay magsasabi ng katotohanan,” Castro said.

The President’s statement came as Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson alleged that Bonoan submitted inaccurate grid coordinates for flood control sites—an issue that raised questions over the reliability of data used in Malacañang’s Sumbong sa Pangulo platform.

Lacson suggested the errors may have been intended to misdirect investigators, although this claim has not been proven.

Bonoan has repeatedly denied receiving kickbacks linked to infrastructure funds and reiterated his willingness to cooperate fully with the Senate inquiry.