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Leviste Pushes Probe Into Bicol Projects, Urges Ridon To Step Aside
FILE
Tensions rose in the House of Representatives after Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste filed a resolution seeking an investigation into infrastructure projects in the Bicol region allegedly linked to major contractors and controversial budget insertions.
In his resolution, Leviste called for a congressional probe into Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects awarded to Bicol Goldrock Construction, GCI Construction, and other companies owned by Steve and Gigi C. Ibasco. He also asked lawmakers to examine the alleged insertions made by the Bicol Saro Partylist and its reported connections to the Ibasco-owned firms.
Leviste further appealed for Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon to step down as Chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, saying this would allow a fair and impartial investigation to proceed.
Based on DPWH records, companies linked to the Ibasco family reportedly received more than ₱42.3 billion worth of contracts in the Bicol region, in addition to over ₱4.6 billion worth of projects in Batangas’ 1st District. A presentation by the Senate Finance Committee also identified GCI as the top contractor for the Department of Agriculture’s farm-to-market roads in 2024.
According to Leviste, “The GCI/Bicol Goldrock is the real top contractor of DPWH in my district. They are also the top contractor in the province of Cong. Ridon, Camarines Sur, and have been reported to have built some of the most overpriced and substandard roads in the country, which is why I thank Cong. Ridon for bringing attention to the projects of the Ibasco family.”
Leviste added that projects of Ibasco-linked companies were allegedly included in the so-called “CENTI2025” list—projects suspected to involve “parked funds” or pre-ordered contracts. “According to files from USec Cabral, the projects of the Ibasco companies are included in the ‘CENTI2025’ list… Of the ₱954.9 million on this list for my district, ₱514.3 million worth of projects went to companies linked to Gardiola, while ₱440.6 million went to Ibasco-linked companies,” he said.
On December 22, Leviste also revealed that files from the late DPWH undersecretary showed that the Bicol Saro Partylist allegedly proposed ₱150 million worth of projects in the 2025 DPWH budget—two ₱75-million road projects connecting Veneracion, Pamplona to Odicon, Pasacao in Camarines Sur. Both contracts were awarded to Bicol Goldrock at ₱73.5 million each, or about 2% below the approved budget.
Ridon rejected the allegations, saying, “I only returned to Congress this year, on June 30, 2025, under the 20th Congress. How could I have made insertions in the 2025 budget when I was not yet a congressman when it was prepared in 2024, under the 19th Congress?”
Leviste countered that the issue involved the partylist, not just Ridon personally. “I said the insertions were made by the Bicol Saro Partylist, which was part of the 19th Congress, and Ridon should look into his partylist because they proposed the ₱150 million road projects in Camarines Sur. The truth will come out if he convenes a Public Accounts hearing,” Leviste said.
He further stressed, “Cong. Ridon should not hide the insertions of the Bicol Saro Partylist, whether for 2025 or 2026, if his partylist truly has no connection to the Ibasco family that owns Bicol Goldrock and won the projects they proposed. To ensure a fair investigation into the Ibasco companies and the 2025 DPWH budget insertions, I am calling on my colleagues to remove Cong. Ridon as Chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts.”
The proposed investigation is now awaiting action in the House, as lawmakers weigh calls for accountability against the counterclaims raised by those involved.
In his resolution, Leviste called for a congressional probe into Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects awarded to Bicol Goldrock Construction, GCI Construction, and other companies owned by Steve and Gigi C. Ibasco. He also asked lawmakers to examine the alleged insertions made by the Bicol Saro Partylist and its reported connections to the Ibasco-owned firms.
Leviste further appealed for Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon to step down as Chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, saying this would allow a fair and impartial investigation to proceed.
Based on DPWH records, companies linked to the Ibasco family reportedly received more than ₱42.3 billion worth of contracts in the Bicol region, in addition to over ₱4.6 billion worth of projects in Batangas’ 1st District. A presentation by the Senate Finance Committee also identified GCI as the top contractor for the Department of Agriculture’s farm-to-market roads in 2024.
According to Leviste, “The GCI/Bicol Goldrock is the real top contractor of DPWH in my district. They are also the top contractor in the province of Cong. Ridon, Camarines Sur, and have been reported to have built some of the most overpriced and substandard roads in the country, which is why I thank Cong. Ridon for bringing attention to the projects of the Ibasco family.”
Leviste added that projects of Ibasco-linked companies were allegedly included in the so-called “CENTI2025” list—projects suspected to involve “parked funds” or pre-ordered contracts. “According to files from USec Cabral, the projects of the Ibasco companies are included in the ‘CENTI2025’ list… Of the ₱954.9 million on this list for my district, ₱514.3 million worth of projects went to companies linked to Gardiola, while ₱440.6 million went to Ibasco-linked companies,” he said.
On December 22, Leviste also revealed that files from the late DPWH undersecretary showed that the Bicol Saro Partylist allegedly proposed ₱150 million worth of projects in the 2025 DPWH budget—two ₱75-million road projects connecting Veneracion, Pamplona to Odicon, Pasacao in Camarines Sur. Both contracts were awarded to Bicol Goldrock at ₱73.5 million each, or about 2% below the approved budget.
Ridon rejected the allegations, saying, “I only returned to Congress this year, on June 30, 2025, under the 20th Congress. How could I have made insertions in the 2025 budget when I was not yet a congressman when it was prepared in 2024, under the 19th Congress?”
Leviste countered that the issue involved the partylist, not just Ridon personally. “I said the insertions were made by the Bicol Saro Partylist, which was part of the 19th Congress, and Ridon should look into his partylist because they proposed the ₱150 million road projects in Camarines Sur. The truth will come out if he convenes a Public Accounts hearing,” Leviste said.
He further stressed, “Cong. Ridon should not hide the insertions of the Bicol Saro Partylist, whether for 2025 or 2026, if his partylist truly has no connection to the Ibasco family that owns Bicol Goldrock and won the projects they proposed. To ensure a fair investigation into the Ibasco companies and the 2025 DPWH budget insertions, I am calling on my colleagues to remove Cong. Ridon as Chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts.”
The proposed investigation is now awaiting action in the House, as lawmakers weigh calls for accountability against the counterclaims raised by those involved.
Dec 23, 2025
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