Official from the Department of Public Works and Highways apprehended for attempted bribery of a legislator from Batangas
In a significant turn of events, Batangas First District Engineer Abelardo Calalo was arrested on Monday, August 25, 2025, following an alleged attempt to bribe Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste. The arrest was initiated by Representative Leviste himself and was part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s crackdown on anomalous flood control projects across the country.
The incident occurred in Barangay Poblacion, Taal, Batangas. The bribe amounted to almost P3.2-million, and it was an attempt to dissuade Representative Leviste from initiating an investigation on suspicious infrastructure projects within his jurisdiction.
The crackdown by President Marcos Jr. was initiated following massive flooding brought about by a series of weather disturbances. The flooding affected thousands of families across the country, submerging communities and causing widespread destruction.
In response to the arrest, Representative Leviste has announced his plans to push for broader reforms to address systemic problems within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He stated that the case against Calalo will be filed at the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor on Tuesday, August 26, with charges for violation of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
It is important to note that Calalo was previously found guilty of attempting to bribe Leviste and was suspended and fined, as reported by TPM/our website Philippines.
This arrest marks a significant step in President Marcos Jr.'s commitment to eradicating corruption within the DPWH and ensuring that infrastructure projects are carried out with integrity and transparency. The crackdown is focused on projects within the DPWH, with the aim of restoring public trust and confidence in the government's ability to deliver essential services effectively and efficiently.
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