DMW recalls labor attaché over issues raised by Ping
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday ordered labor attaché Macy Monique Maglanque to return to Manila from her post in Los Angeles, California, for possible investigation of her involvement in a company where resigned Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s daughter is a partner.
The recall order was triggered by a privilege speech by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on anomalous flood control projects where he questioned the Maglanque family’s ties with Bonoan and former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in MBB Global Properties, a real estate company.
The senator said the former public works secretary had a “family business” with Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque, the diplomat’s father, but did not implicate the Maglanques and Bonoans in any flood control project anomaly.
The labor attaché’s name was mentioned by Lacson as the company president, along with Bonoan’s daughter, company treasurer Fatima Gay Dela Cruz and corporate secretary Sunshine Bernardo, Bernardo’s daughter.
Not a punishment
“Today, we issued a recall order for Labor Attaché Maglanque so she could return home and personally face an investigation,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement.
“No punishment is being imposed (on her), but it is important that she herself responds to the questions—not just from DMW but also from other investigations that are necessary,” he added.
Cacdac emphasized that the DMW respects due process and would fully cooperate with any official inquiry.
As Maglanque was mentioned by the head of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Cacdac said it was DMW’s “duty to follow the process and the directive of our President to hold any official to account, if there is any allegation of wrongdoing or irregularity.”
“She will only face the investigation. This is part of our stand for integrity and responsibility in public service,” he said.
Probe continues
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the blue ribbon panel was not terminating its investigation of anomalous flood control projects despite the creation by President Marcos of an Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) that will look into the alleged irregularities in all types of public works from 2015 onward.
“[The House of Representatives] might terminate. Not the Senate. We will continue in aid of legislation,” he said on Friday.
Lacson, who is also the Senate president pro tempore, said the next hearing would be on Sept. 18.
Under Executive Order No. 94, the three-member ICI was tasked with investigating “anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds” in connection with government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.
