DMW recalls labor attaché in LA amid flood probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the recall of Labor Attaché Macy Monique Maglanque, currently assigned in Los Angeles, to allow her to face an investigation after she was mentioned in a privilege speech by Sen. Panfilo Lacson concerning the anomalous flood control projects.

“Today, we have issued a recall order for Labor Attaché Maglanque to be able to go home and face the investigation,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement.

“No penalty has been imposed yet, but it is important for her to answer the questions, not only those coming from the DMW but also from any other investigations that may be necessary,” he added.

Cacdac stressed that the recall is a procedural step to allow Maglanque to respond to the allegations in the Philippines.

“She will only be facing the investigation,” Cacdac added.

However, Lacson yesterday said there was no need for DMW to recall Maglanque from her post.

“In fairness to Macy Monique Maglanque, her recall may not be necessary. While she was the president of MBB Properties in 2024, she has no stake in the Globalcrete Builders that bagged billions in the DPWH projects, including the P2.195B for flood control projects in Bulacan and at least one is found to be substandard,” Lacson told The STAR yesterday.

“The point I raised in my privilege speech is the propriety, at the very least, on the part of ex-Sec. Bonoan, and the violation of law by Mayor Maglanque in not divesting,” he added.

Maglanque was named as the daughter of Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque, who has business ties with resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Mayor Maglanque’s Globalcrete Builders bagged P2.195-billion flood control projects from 2018 to 2024, according to Lacson.

Lookout bulletin

Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval yesterday said the former officials of the DPWH and contractors can still travel despite the immigration lookout bulletin issued against them.

In an interview over dzMM, Sandoval confirmed that the BI has received two batches of lookout bulletins, adding that the bureau expects more to be issued.

“The first one was received on Thursday last week, the second one was received on Friday, a batch of 35 and a batch of 26, all contractors of DPWH and employees. We are still waiting for a third batch and maybe we will receive or see a fourth batch,” she said.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout covering his predecessor Bonoan and daughter Fatima Gay dela Cruz, as well as Mayor Maglanque of Candaba, Pampanga and daughter Macy Monique.

The request was in compliance with a directive from President Marcos, Dizon said.

Also named in the lookout bulletin request was Sunshine Bernardo, corporate secretary of MBB Global Properties Corp.

“The difference between the lookout bulletin and hold departure order (HDO) – in the lookout bulletin, we are looking out or monitoring the travel of those individuals, their movement. So once there is an encounter in the airport or ports, our personnel will check with the relevant government agencies, including the National Prosecutors’ Office, if there are freshly issued warrant of arrest or HDO against  that person,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval added that if there is no HDO or warrant of arrest, the BI will get the details of the individual and submit it to the DOJ.

Discaya vehicles

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will meet with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to cross-check and reconcile documents on the controversial luxury vehicles owned by contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, amid discrepancies in importation and registration records.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said all 30 luxury cars registered to the Discaya couple and their companies had complete documents on file with the agency, including the Certificate of Stock Report, sales invoices, police clearances and the Certificate of Payment from Customs, which is electronically transmitted to the LTO.

“All four documents were complete before the vehicles were registered. That is why we requested Secretary Lopez to lead us to the Bureau of Customs, so we can compare notes and establish whether the certificates transmitted to us are valid and authentic,” Mendoza said yesterday, referring to acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

Customs, however, reported missing or incomplete records, including eight Discaya-owned vehicles with no import entries or certificates of payment, and another seven with incomplete documents. To address the discrepancies, Mendoza said the LTO will deploy a team to share and verify files with the BOC.

Lopez earlier assured Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno of the full support of the Department of Transportation.

“We will help the Bureau of Customs determine if the registration of the said luxury vehicles went through the correct process. Whatever the BOC requires, we will provide,” Lopez said.

Mendoza cautioned that some of the electronically transmitted records may have been falsified, possibly by hackers or agency insiders, and noted that most of the transactions were carried out during the previous administration. He also revealed that all 47 vehicles linked to the Discayas – including the 30 luxury cars – were listed as “race cars.”

The LTO said it will also review the registration of vehicles tied to other personalities flagged in congressional inquiries on alleged ghost flood control projects. — Bella Cariaso, Christine Boton