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Leviste to file case vs DPWH Batangas 1st District engineer

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17560903756182025082500088_9675aeff7539e6d3a4676439aa3ca2d6bbcc10776567443352d4e3eb3785c5b9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste said his office will file a case against the DPWH district engineer at the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (2nd UPDATE) </strong>— Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is set to file a case against Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer following reports that the latter tried to bribe him up to P360 million in kickbacks to &quot;dissuade&quot; him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.</p><p>In a statement, Leviste said his office will file a case against DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo at the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flingkodlegardaleviste%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02YBhe9BxCtECRVzdmSvQju17Zjr4SGjr2fCEneQQY11gVDidKdRqGfMtMMhtHDDHYl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“We should not tolerate any corruption in DPWH. We should demand projects at better quality and lower cost, and obligate contractors to correct any deficiencies immediately without additional cost to government. Beyond this case, we will push for broader reforms to address systemic problems of DPWH,” he said.</p><p>Initial reports said the district engineer was <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/dpwh-district-engineer-arrested-for-allegedly-trying-to-bribe-batangas-solon-2153">arrested and detained </a>Friday in Taal, Batangas for allegedly attempting to bribe Leviste, a neophyte lawmaker.</p><p>Multiple police sources independently confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the arrest happened around 5 pm after an entrapment operation in Poblacion, Taal, Batangas.</p><p>The suspect allegedly tried to bribe Leviste with P3,126,900 to &quot;dissuade&quot; him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.</p><p>The suspect is currently in the custody of the Taal PNP and may face charges of Corruption of Public Officials under Art. 212 of the RPC and violation of RA 3019 or Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;DEEPLY CONCERNING&#x27;: DPWH</strong></div><p>In a statement, the DPWH said the alleged bribing incident was &quot;deeply concerning and being taken very seriously.&quot;</p><p>&quot;We fully support the ongoing investigation by the proper authorities and stand firm in our commitment to transparency and integrity in public service,&quot; the agency said.</p><p>DPWH said the employee will be relieved of his assignment and will be preventively suspended.</p><p>&quot;We firmly believe that those found to have engaged in any wrongdoing must face the full consequences of their actions in accordance with the law,&quot; DPWH said.</p><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABfZn0v26mCWBkjF"></script></div><div><strong>HOUSE PROBE</strong></div><p>According to at least two lawmakers, the district engineer arrested should be invited to the House Infra Comm inquiry.</p><p>House Infra Comm Co-Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon said the joint panel may ask Leviste to “provide further details in the hearing and invite all concerned persons to provide further information”.</p><p>“The bribery attempt may be the subject of future House Infrastructure Committee hearings,” Ridon said in a text statement.</p><p>House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson and Manila City 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. also wants the bribery attempt to be tackled in the House inquiry into flood control projects, to determine those possibly “colluding” with the DPWH district engineer (DE).</p><p>He and House Infra Comm Co-Chairperson Joel Chua commended Leviste’s move.</p><p>“Congressman Leandro Leviste did the right thing, and I fully support him. I thank him for defending the honor of the House of Representatives,” Chua said.</p><p>“Maganda yung ginawa ni Congressman Leviste. Tama ‘yun,” Abante added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the case reinforces his theory that some DPWH district engineers could have become legmen or bagmen of contractors.</p><p>“Yung investigation should really dig deep into what&#x27;s behind itong attempt nitong si Calalo to bribe Congressman Leviste. There must be a powerful contractor behind this and we have to find out,” the senator said. </p><p>“Parang yung sindikato, yun na mismong district engineering office. So sila na yung nagpe-peddle ng mga projects sa mga suking contractors. Pero somebody, yung tinatawag natin, funder, o yung sponsor ng insertion, yun ang nagma-manipulate.&quot;</p><div><strong>— With reports from Vivienne Gulla an RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XLkLNLvmG4s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is set to file a case against Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer following reports that the latter tried to bribe him up to P360 million in kickbacks to "dissuade" him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.</p>

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is set to file a case against Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer following reports that the latter tried to bribe him up to P360 million in kickbacks to "dissuade" him from investigating DPWH projects in his district.