US EditionDPWH Suspends District Engineer over Bribe Attempt - BusinessWorld Online
Abelardo Calalo offered P3.13 million to stop Congressman Leandro Leviste's probe into substandard flood control projects costing over P1 billion, prompting legal charges and suspension.
- On Friday, August 22, 2025, DPWH Batangas 1st District engineer Abelardo Calalo was arrested in Barangay Poblacion Zone 12, Taal following a reported bribery attempt to dissuade Rep. Leandro Leviste from investigating projects.
- On August 18, 2025, Leandro Leviste's district inspections revealed poor construction and collapse of flood control works, while President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s report flagged contractors taking about 20% of P545-billion flood control funding.
- The Taal Municipal Police Station, led by Rommel Magno, carried out an entrapment yielding P3,126,900 in cash and a DPWH project list, which were logged as evidence.
- DPWH ordered Abelardo Calalo relieved and placed on preventive suspension, while Leviste will file formal corruption complaints at the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
- Political and public calls for DPWH reforms intensified after the seized bribe, with Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson noting only 40% of funds reach implementation and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s audit flagging top contractors capturing about 20% of the P545-billion flood control program.
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DPWH exec in bribe try on lawmaker suspended
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the immediate suspension of Batangas first district engineer Abelardo Calalo, who is accused of attempting to bribe a lawmaker to block a probe into flood control projects in his area. In a telephone interview with the Inquirer on Monday, Public Works Secretary […]...Keep on reading: DPWH exec in bribe try on lawmaker suspended
DPWH suspends district engineer over bribe attempt - BusinessWorld Online
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it will suspend the district engineer who allegedly offered more than P3 million to Batangas Rep. Leandro L. Leviste to dissuade investigations into irregularities in flood control projects. “As public servants, we at the DPWH do not condone any form of misconduct. We fully support the ongoing investigation by the proper authorities and stand firm in our commitment to transparency and integ…
P3.13-M bribe try: Batangas DPWH engineer in jail for asking congressman to halt probe
MANILA, Philippines – A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer was arrested on Friday, August 22, for allegedly offering P3.13 million to Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste in exchange for halting a probe into questionable infrastructure projects. In a special operation conducted on Friday, August 22, Abelardo Dionglay Calalo, district engineer of DPWH Batangas 1st District was arrested in an entrapmen…
DPWH engineer in bribery scandal placed under preventive suspension
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has placed under preventive suspension Batangas first district engineer Abelardo Calalo following his arrest for allegedly trying to bribe Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda.
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