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Advocates Philippines
DPWH Engineer Nabbed For Alleged P3.85M Bribe Attempt On Batangas Rep. Leviste
Photo credit: Taal Municipal Police Station
Authorities in Batangas have arrested a district engineer from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for allegedly trying to bribe Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste.
The suspect, identified as Engr. Abelardo “Abel” M. Calalo, DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer, was taken into custody by the Taal Municipal Police Station following an entrapment operation on August 22, 2025, at around 5:40 PM in Barangay Poblacion Zone 14, Taal, Batangas.
According to the official police report, the operation was led by PCPT Rommel B. Magno, OIC of Taal MPS, after receiving a call from Rep. Leviste’s office about an alleged bribery attempt. Authorities seized ₱3,850,000.00 in cash, consisting of 38 bundles of ₱1,000 bills, all marked with the initials “ACM B-1 to ACM B-100.”
Police said the money was allegedly intended to persuade Rep. Leviste to stop his probe into questionable DPWH flood control projects in the district.
Immediate Police Action
Batangas Provincial Police Director P/Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo assured the public that the police responded promptly and will not tolerate corruption.
“We are assuring the public that we are doing our job when there are reports like this. We respond immediately, and we will not condone or tolerate or do cover-ups in the investigation of cases like this one,” Sibalo said.
Calalo is currently detained at the Taal Municipal Police Station and is set to face charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case will be filed before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26.
‘No Room for Corruption’
Rep. Leviste confirmed the planned filing of a case and emphasized the need for integrity and reforms in public infrastructure projects.
“We should not tolerate any corruption in DPWH. We should demand projects with 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,” Leviste said.
DPWH Preventive Suspension, Senate Praise
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced that a preventive suspension order against Calalo will be issued, adding that if proven guilty, the official will face appropriate penalties.
The incident also earned praise from former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who lauded the young lawmaker for rejecting the bribe and cooperating with law enforcement.
“My snappy salute to neophyte Cong. Leandro Leviste for the successful police entrapment operation against a corrupt DPWH District Engineer who tried to bribe him… May his tribe increase,” Lacson said in a statement posted on his official website.
The suspect, identified as Engr. Abelardo “Abel” M. Calalo, DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer, was taken into custody by the Taal Municipal Police Station following an entrapment operation on August 22, 2025, at around 5:40 PM in Barangay Poblacion Zone 14, Taal, Batangas.
According to the official police report, the operation was led by PCPT Rommel B. Magno, OIC of Taal MPS, after receiving a call from Rep. Leviste’s office about an alleged bribery attempt. Authorities seized ₱3,850,000.00 in cash, consisting of 38 bundles of ₱1,000 bills, all marked with the initials “ACM B-1 to ACM B-100.”
Police said the money was allegedly intended to persuade Rep. Leviste to stop his probe into questionable DPWH flood control projects in the district.
Immediate Police Action
Batangas Provincial Police Director P/Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo assured the public that the police responded promptly and will not tolerate corruption.
“We are assuring the public that we are doing our job when there are reports like this. We respond immediately, and we will not condone or tolerate or do cover-ups in the investigation of cases like this one,” Sibalo said.
Calalo is currently detained at the Taal Municipal Police Station and is set to face charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case will be filed before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26.
‘No Room for Corruption’
Rep. Leviste confirmed the planned filing of a case and emphasized the need for integrity and reforms in public infrastructure projects.
“We should not tolerate any corruption in DPWH. We should demand projects with 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,” Leviste said.
DPWH Preventive Suspension, Senate Praise
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced that a preventive suspension order against Calalo will be issued, adding that if proven guilty, the official will face appropriate penalties.
The incident also earned praise from former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who lauded the young lawmaker for rejecting the bribe and cooperating with law enforcement.
“My snappy salute to neophyte Cong. Leandro Leviste for the successful police entrapment operation against a corrupt DPWH District Engineer who tried to bribe him… May his tribe increase,” Lacson said in a statement posted on his official website.
Aug 25, 2025
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