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Advocates Philippines
Leviste Rejects Kickbacks From P3.6B DPWH Projects; Urges Engineer To Turn State Witness To Expose Corruption
Photo credit: Lingkod Legarda Leviste
BATANGAS – Congressman Leandro Legarda Leviste has formally filed criminal complaints against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo, accusing him of direct bribery, corruption of public officials, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and breaches of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials. The case was filed before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26.
According to Leviste, what was initially presented as a ₱3.1-million cash bribe is just the tip of a much larger scheme. He alleged that DPWH projects in his district have long been tainted by kickbacks amounting to more than ₱300 million every year.
“This is not just about three million pesos. This is about a system where hundreds of millions of pesos in SOPs or kickbacks are taken from projects intended for the First District of Batangas,” Leviste said.
In his sworn statement, Leviste recounted how Engineer Calalo told him that contractors were ready to give 5 to 10 percent of the ₱3.6 billion worth of projects in the district—equivalent to ₱180 million to ₱360 million—as so-called “support” for his educational programs. One contractor, he said, was even prepared to release an initial ₱15 million, while Calalo himself allegedly presented ₱3.1 million in cash, representing 3 percent of a ₱104-million project, complete with a receipt.
Leviste also pointed to irregularities in how projects were awarded, claiming there was no genuine competitive bidding. Instead, he said, contractors were being handpicked in exchange for kickbacks. Calalo even allegedly named major contractors and linked them to former officials who had benefited from the same system in previous years.
“If I had agreed, there would already have been meetings with contractors this week. That could have generated hundreds of millions in kickbacks from projects in 2025 alone. Over three years, the total could easily exceed one billion pesos,” the congressman stated.
Leviste underscored that accountability should not stop with the district engineer. He urged Calalo, as well as other DPWH employees and contractors, to turn state witness to expose those who may have gained more from the alleged corruption scheme.
“Because I will never accept kickbacks, I will make sure that every project in the First District of Batangas is implemented properly,” Leviste vowed. “We will continue to investigate DPWH projects, not only flood control works, and ensure that defective projects are corrected without additional cost to government.”
According to Leviste, what was initially presented as a ₱3.1-million cash bribe is just the tip of a much larger scheme. He alleged that DPWH projects in his district have long been tainted by kickbacks amounting to more than ₱300 million every year.
“This is not just about three million pesos. This is about a system where hundreds of millions of pesos in SOPs or kickbacks are taken from projects intended for the First District of Batangas,” Leviste said.
In his sworn statement, Leviste recounted how Engineer Calalo told him that contractors were ready to give 5 to 10 percent of the ₱3.6 billion worth of projects in the district—equivalent to ₱180 million to ₱360 million—as so-called “support” for his educational programs. One contractor, he said, was even prepared to release an initial ₱15 million, while Calalo himself allegedly presented ₱3.1 million in cash, representing 3 percent of a ₱104-million project, complete with a receipt.
Leviste also pointed to irregularities in how projects were awarded, claiming there was no genuine competitive bidding. Instead, he said, contractors were being handpicked in exchange for kickbacks. Calalo even allegedly named major contractors and linked them to former officials who had benefited from the same system in previous years.
“If I had agreed, there would already have been meetings with contractors this week. That could have generated hundreds of millions in kickbacks from projects in 2025 alone. Over three years, the total could easily exceed one billion pesos,” the congressman stated.
Leviste underscored that accountability should not stop with the district engineer. He urged Calalo, as well as other DPWH employees and contractors, to turn state witness to expose those who may have gained more from the alleged corruption scheme.
“Because I will never accept kickbacks, I will make sure that every project in the First District of Batangas is implemented properly,” Leviste vowed. “We will continue to investigate DPWH projects, not only flood control works, and ensure that defective projects are corrected without additional cost to government.”
Aug 26, 2025
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