Batangas DPWH engineer nabbed for bribe attempt

BATANGAS CITY - Following recent revelations on anomalous flood control projects, police arrested a district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Friday night in Taal town in Batangas on charges of attempting to bribe a congressman.

- By JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

The 51-year-old suspect, identified as DPWH Batangas 1st district engineer Abelardo Dionglay Calalo, allegedly tried to pay off Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste with P3,126,900 in cash in order to abandon any flood control probe in the district.

The cash, placed in a green ecobag, was recovered during the operation.

"We should not tolerate any corruption in Department of Public Works and Highways. 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 in a statement.

"Beyond this case, we will push for broader reforms to address systemic problems of DPWH," Leviste, son of Sen. Loren Legarda, added.

Batangas police chief Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo said authorities received information from Leviste's staff about the supposed bribery attempt. Sibalo said police officers caught Calalo "in the act" of attempting to hand over the money.