Batangas solon to file case vs DPWH engineer for attempted bribe

Metro Manila, Philippines - Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste will file a case against a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer for attempted bribery.

Praising Leviste, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the engineer tried to offer the congressman P360 million in kickbacks from infrastructure projects in his district.

Leviste’s office said the complaint against district engineer Abelardo Calalo will be filed with the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

“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 the government,” the House lawmaker’s office said on Monday, Aug. 25.

“Beyond this case, we will push for broader reforms to address systemic problems of DPWH,” it added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. exposed 15 contractors that bagged P100 billion in flood control projects, which is equivalent to a fifth of all projects nationwide.

In the Senate, Lacson revealed what he called substandard and ghost flood control projects in Luzon which, he said, may be funded through congressional insertions.

The Senate has been conducting a probe on the supposed anomalous flood control projects while the House of Representatives will launch its own inquiry.

READ: Teves wants to testify in Senate probe on ‘graft-tainted’ flood control projects - counsel