DPWH ENGINEER OFFERED BRIBE TO LEVISTE, REVEALS RIGGED INFRA PROJECTS AND KICKBACKS

DPWH engineer Abelardo Calalo was caught attempting to bribe Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste with over P3 million in cash, allegedly a cut from government contracts worth over P100 million. Calalo disclosed that contractors routinely set aside 5 to 10 percent kickbacks, totaling more than P300 million annually in Leviste’s district alone. Leviste refused the bribe and urged Calalo to become a state witness to expose the wider corruption involving contractors and officials in other districts. The congressman also revealed rigged bidding practices where congressmen often select winning contractors, bypassing real competitive bidding. The incident has prompted calls for broader investigations into irregularities in DPWH projects nationwide.