Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan said he will put into preventive suspension the Batangas engineer who attempted to bribe a congressman to halt probes into flood-control projects.</p><p>DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo has been <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/dpwh-district-engineer-arrested-for-allegedly-trying-to-bribe-batangas-solon-2153">arrested </a>after he was caught in the attempt to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste with P360 million to &quot;dissuade&quot; him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/leviste-to-file-case-vs-dpwh-batangas-1st-district-engineer-0711">Leviste to file case vs DPWH Batangas 1st District engineer</a></div><p>Bonoan said he will also look for possible accomplices in his district office.</p><p>“I have to put him in preventive suspension talaga then I will look into the possibility kung may kasabwat siya doon sa actions niya sa district office. I will not hesitate to put his entire district engineering office into a floating status din,” Bonoan told DZMM Teleradyo.</p><p>“He does not have any place in the department, this kind of people. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” the secretary underscored.</p><p>Bonoan noted that the ongoing projects under the DPWH Batangas 1st District Office will continue despite the controversy surrounding its personnel.</p><p>When asked how the secretary takes the district engineer’s attempt to cover investigations on DPWH projects, Bonoan said, “This is what puzzles me. Talagang may pinagtatakpan siguro yang mga yan. That is why I have instructed our office actually to investigate the circumstances behind yung sinasabi nga niya na he’s trying to bribe the congressman. Siguro may pinagtatakpan silang mga projects na sinasabi. That’s why under scrutiny po talaga lahat ng projects nila ngayon dun.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/24/vico-sotto-seeks-more-info-on-dpwh-flood-control-projects-in-pasig-2258">Vico Sotto says &#x27;Sumbong sa Pangulo&#x27; helpful, but needs more info on DPWH flood control projects in Pasig City</a></div><div><strong>LAS PIÑAS-MUNTINLUPA DISTRICT ENGINEER REASSIGNED </strong></div><p>The DPWH secretary also explained that the decision to reassign Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineer Isabelo Baleros to Metro Manila 3rd District Office came in accordance to Las Piñas lone district Rep. Mark Anthony Santos&#x27; concern.</p><p>“Because I think ang request lang naman ni district office, it just wants somebody else na… He perceived that the district engineer is still under the control… concern niya ang mga Villar family?” he said.</p><p>The Villar family is the dominant political dynasty in Las Piñas, with family members with experiences in working at DPWH, in business and infrastructure.</p><p>“I said tauhan pa rin ng department yan at kung may makita kayong hindi kaaya-aya, let me know. But he would like somebody else anyway so pinagpalit ko lang po sila,” Bonoan explained.</p><p>He further explained that the district engineer wanted the district project biddings to be transferred to the regional office, which he agreed with.</p><p>“Pag sa regional office, I think it’s going to be an open competitive bidding,” he said.</p><p>When asked if Bonoan has any plan to step down from his post, he said, “As I said many times over, my service is at the pleasure of the President.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/22/dpwh-chief-on-resign-calls-president-told-me-to-continue-probe-0922">DPWH chief on resign calls: President told me to continue probe</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/92OrAOLYtAE?si=Uvlo_lT7QvD4pHma" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo has been <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/dpwh-district-engineer-arrested-for-allegedly-trying-to-bribe-batangas-solon-2153">arrested </a>after he was caught in the attempt to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste with P360 million to "dissuade" him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.</p>

DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo has been arrested after he was caught in the attempt to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste with P360 million to "dissuade" him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.

DPWH chief to suspend Batangas engineer over bribe attempt to congressman

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DPWH chief to suspend Batangas engineer over bribe attempt to congressman

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 25, 2025 08:17 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

Manny Bonoan

Flood control projects

Batangas engineer

Abelardo Calalo

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