The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has placed Batangas 1st District engineer Abelardo Calalo under preventive suspension following his arrest for allegedly attempting to bribe Rep. Leandro Leviste with an initial P3.6 million.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed the order and warned other engineers that he would not hesitate to pursue administrative and criminal cases against those involved in corruption.
Calalo, detained at the Taal Municipal Police Station, faces charges for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, with reports suggesting the bribe was part of a much larger P360 million kickback scheme.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson lauded Leviste’s integrity for refusing the bribe and warned him to be vigilant given the scale of corruption linked to infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the League of Cities of the Philippines backed President Marcos Jr.’s push to involve LGUs in national infrastructure planning to curb inefficiencies and corruption.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 26, 2025
