DPWH engineer freed on bail after alleged bribery try

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer, who was arrested for attempting to bribe a congressman, was released from detention after posting bail.

Batangas Police Director PCol Geovanny Sibalo said Abelardo Calalo posted a bail of P60,000, adding his temporary liberty has no specific period.

“Unless his bail will be revoked for violating his bail conditions such as non-appearance to scheduled hearing, commission of new offense, intimidation of witnesses or if the honorable judge deemed it necessary to forfeit and revoke his bail because the accused is believed to be flight risk or a threat to public safety,” Sibalo told NewsWatch Plus late Thursday, Aug. 28.

Last week, the Taal Municipal Police apprehended Calalo in an entrapment operation as he tried to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste with up to P360 million in kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Leviste filed complaints of direct bribery, corruption of public officials, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials against the district engineer.

Davao flood control projects

In Davao City, Rep. Paolo Duterte assured that the flood control projects in his district are "properly implemented and completed."

Manila Rep. Benny Abante told acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte to check the flood control projects in his brother’s district after the latter said the government’s infrastructure investigation is just a PR stunt.

“Do not mind the floods in Davao. I can guarantee everybody that every peso allocated was implemented. Wala naman nagbabagsakan na mga flood control projects dito, wala din mga ghost projects dito,” the congressman said.

[Translation: There are no damaged flood control projects nor ghost projects here.]

“Kung may baha man dito, humuhupa din agad hindi kagaya nga mga swimming pool niyo dyan sa lugar ninyo,” he added.

[Translation: If there is flooding here, it easily subsides, unlike the swimming pools of flood in your area.]

Duterte also ordered the DPWH district and regional offices to provide data to Abante.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong previously exposed that some lawmakers receive kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, claimed at least 67 congressmen receive a cut for acting as contractors of infrastructure projects.