NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
DPWH Engineer Claims 'Donations' To Leviste Amid Controversy Over Batangas Projects
Photo credit: Legarda Leviste
In a recent legal filing, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo submitted a counter-affidavit on Friday, September 5, denying allegations of bribery and insisting that the funds he delivered to Congressman Leandro Leviste were donations from contractors.
According to Calalo, the money was meant to support projects in the 1st District of Batangas. He explained that contractors, impressed by Leviste’s initiatives, voluntarily contributed to show their support and courtesy. Calalo emphasized that he acted under the instructions of Representative James Ang Jr. of the 1-UTAK partylist.
The filing comes after Calalo’s arrest in connection with an alleged offer of P3,126,900 to Leviste—who has been outspoken about substandard DPWH projects in the district. Calalo maintains that the contributions were genuine donations, not bribes, and that he handed them over to Leviste’s office, not the congressman personally.
Leviste, however, challenged this narrative. He pointed out that the purported donations were accompanied by receipts tied to three contracts totaling over P104 million, suggesting a link between the contributions and awarded projects. He also noted that Calalo did not disclose other contractors who were reportedly willing to provide “support,” and urged the engineer to name them to clarify the situation.
Leviste further questioned Calalo’s affidavit, highlighting discrepancies regarding his claims about meetings with Leviste and Senator Loren Legarda. According to Leviste, these interactions were unrelated to ongoing DPWH projects and involved personal donations for local infrastructure repairs.
“This is not about me or my family; it’s about transparency in public works,” Leviste stated. He stressed the need to investigate the contractors mentioned and ensure that no improprieties influenced project selection or funding in Batangas’ 1st District.
The case continues to unfold, with both legal and public scrutiny focused on the blurred lines between donations, courtesy contributions, and potential conflict of interest in government contracting.
According to Calalo, the money was meant to support projects in the 1st District of Batangas. He explained that contractors, impressed by Leviste’s initiatives, voluntarily contributed to show their support and courtesy. Calalo emphasized that he acted under the instructions of Representative James Ang Jr. of the 1-UTAK partylist.
The filing comes after Calalo’s arrest in connection with an alleged offer of P3,126,900 to Leviste—who has been outspoken about substandard DPWH projects in the district. Calalo maintains that the contributions were genuine donations, not bribes, and that he handed them over to Leviste’s office, not the congressman personally.
Leviste, however, challenged this narrative. He pointed out that the purported donations were accompanied by receipts tied to three contracts totaling over P104 million, suggesting a link between the contributions and awarded projects. He also noted that Calalo did not disclose other contractors who were reportedly willing to provide “support,” and urged the engineer to name them to clarify the situation.
Leviste further questioned Calalo’s affidavit, highlighting discrepancies regarding his claims about meetings with Leviste and Senator Loren Legarda. According to Leviste, these interactions were unrelated to ongoing DPWH projects and involved personal donations for local infrastructure repairs.
“This is not about me or my family; it’s about transparency in public works,” Leviste stated. He stressed the need to investigate the contractors mentioned and ensure that no improprieties influenced project selection or funding in Batangas’ 1st District.
The case continues to unfold, with both legal and public scrutiny focused on the blurred lines between donations, courtesy contributions, and potential conflict of interest in government contracting.
Sep 6, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
