(UPDATE) JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday he has not yet signed the request from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Remulla told reporters the request remains “under processing” at the Department of Justice (DOJ). He emphasized, however, that no official will be spared once a formal petition is filed.
“There will be no exceptions in the approval of ILBOs, as long as these are officially requested for investigations into flood control anomalies,” he said.
The request is part of a widening inquiry into alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects under the DPWH.
In a letter dated Sept. 10, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon sought the issuance of an ILBO against Bonoan.
The investigation covers DPWH officials and construction executives linked to ghost projects and substandard flood control works.
“The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the current investigations to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people,” Dizon said.
Dizon has asked for ILBOs against several officials and contractors to ensure they do not evade accountability, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue those linked to corruption in infrastructure projects.
He also urged the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other law enforcement agencies to be on alert to prevent those on the watch list from leaving the country.
An ILBO, however, is only for monitoring purposes and does not automatically bar a subject from traveling abroad. BI officers are instructed to immediately report any attempted departure to the DOJ and to check for newly issued orders against the individual.
