Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Ridon urges Leviste: Disclose Cabral’s alleged list of project proponents

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has urged Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to disclose the alleged list of proponents for multibillion-peso infrastructure budget insertions, supposedly from late Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.Leviste had said that he prefers that the supposed list be released by the DPWH.But Ridon said Leviste does not need permission from the DPWH.“Mas magandang llabas na lang ni Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste ang buo, at hindi pa-konti-konting 2025 DPWH project listing with proponents na sinasabi niyang kasama ang mga sumusunod: a. Congressmen, b. Senators, c. Executive officials, “including Secretaries and Undersecretaries outside DPWH” d. Private individuals,” Ridon said in a statement.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/26/leviste-files-raps-vs-batangas-engineer-over-alleged-bribe-attempt-1254">Leviste files raps vs Batangas engineer over alleged bribe attempt</a></div>“Marapat na ilabas niya ito sa pinakamaagang panahon. Hindi niya kailangan ng abiso mula sa Kongreso o kay DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon para gawin ito... Mahalagang ipaliwanag ni Rep. Leviste bakit niya hindi ito inilabas pagkakuha niya ng sinasabi niyang dokumento mula kay yumaong DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral noong September 4, 2025, o higit tatlong buwan na ang nakalipas. Mahalagang ipaliwanag din niya kung bakit ngayon lang niya binabanggit ang listahang ito, ngayong patay na ang nag-iisang maaaring makapagpatunay ng authenticity ng dokumentong ito,” he added.Sought for comment in a press conference on Monday, Leviste said he will release it “another time”.“Ang files na ito ay ibinigay sa akin pagkatapos tumawag si Secretary Vince at tinawagan din siya ni Usec. Cabral noong September 4. At unang-una, normally pag may tao na magbigay sa iyo ng files, courtesy lang na bago isapubliko ito, ibigay sa kanya ang pagkakataon na siya ang magsa-publiko nito. Lalung lalo na po dahil maganda kung ang DPWH ang magpaliwanag at magbigay ng konteksto at kumpletong datos sa mga files na ito,“ the Batangas solon said.In a social media post, Leviste claimed Ridon’s party list has P150 million insertions in the 2025 budget.“Ang Bicol Saro Party List po ay nasa 19th Congress, at it&#x27;s not really an accusation kasi aminin na lang natin lahat. Lahat ng congressman may submission sa DPWH budget. Hindi sa House necessarily, pati sa NEP... At ang mga files na ‘yun ay nasa opisina ni Usec. Cabral. (36:09) Sa listahan po na mayroon ako mula kay Usec. Cabral, nandoon po ang P150 million pesos road projects ng Bicol Saro sa Pamplona at Pasacao, CamSur,” Leviste said.Ridon denied making budget insertions.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/22/house-speaker-says-bicam-proposed-2026-national-budget-has-no-insertions-1456">House Speaker says bicam-proposed 2026 national budget has no insertions</a></div>“Kabababalik lang natin sa Kongreso ngayong taon, 30 June 2025, sa ilalim ng 20th Congress. Kaya paano ako magkakaroon ng insertions sa 2025 budget kung hindi pa ako congressman noong binuo ang budget na ito noong 2024, sa ilalim ng 19th Congress?” he said.Meanwhile, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian also denied he was among members of the 19th Congress who supposedly made insertions in the 2025 National Expenditure Program.&quot;I categorically deny claims that I was among those who requested the DPWH to insert projects in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) at any point during my term as senator. At no time did I make such a request. In fact, I have never met nor spoken with former Undersecretary Cathy Cabral since I assumed office,&quot; Gatchalian said in a statement. &quot;Kapag lumalapit ang mga LGU sa amin para humingi ng tulong kaugnay ng anumang social service o infrastructure project, ang aming papel ay limitado lamang sa pag-uugnay sa kanila o pagre-refer sa tamang ahensya, at hindi namin kontrolado kung ano ang kanilang gagawing hakbang. The claims being circulated lack credibility and remain unsubstantiated,” he added.— With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has urged Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to disclose the alleged list of proponents for multibillion-peso infrastructure budget insertions, supposedly from late Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has urged Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to disclose the alleged list of proponents for multibillion-peso infrastructure budget insertions, supposedly from late Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.