A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer was arrested in Batangas for allegedly offering over P3 million to Congressman Leandro Leviste in a bid to stop an investigation into anomalous infrastructure projects.
The suspect, identified as Abelardo Calalo, 51, of the DPWH-Batangas 1st Engineering District Office, was nabbed during an entrapment operation on Friday in Taal town, after Leviste reported the bribery attempt to local police.
Authorities said the engineer tried to hand over P3,126,900 to dissuade the congressman from probing alleged anomalies in DPWH projects within Batangas’ first district.
The sting was led by Police Captain Rommel Magno, officer-in-charge of the Taal Municipal Police Station.
Recovered from the suspect was the full amount of the alleged bribe.
The suspect is now in police custody and has undergone medical examination.
He is expected to face charges before the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Leviste confirmed that a formal complaint will be filed on Tuesday, August 26.
In a statement posted on Facebook, he vowed to pursue broader reforms within the DPWH.
“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 government,” Leviste said.
“Beyond this case, we will push for broader reforms to address systemic problems of DPWH,” he added.
