Batangas district engineer arrested for P3-M bribery try

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to issue relief and preventive suspension orders against a Batangas district engineer accused of offering more than P3 million to Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste to dissuade him from probing alleged irregular flood control projects in the province.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG, DANNY ESTACIO, and ELLSON QUISMORIO

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the recent allegations involving Abelardo Calalo, 51, district engineer of the DPWH-Batangas 1st Engineering District Office, were “deeply concerning” and “are being taken very seriously.”

“As public servants, we, at the Department of Public Works and Highways (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 integrity in public service,” he said.

Bonoan said the suspension papers of Calalo will be implemented on Tuesday once the documents are finalized.

"The individual involved will be relieved of his assignment, and preventive suspension will be implemented. We firmly believe that those found to have engaged in any wrongdoing must face the full consequences of their actions in accordance with the law," the public works chief said.

Calalo was arrested in an entrapment operation in Brgy. Poblacion, Zone 12, Taal, Batangas around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.

According to an initial investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Rep. Leviste reported an alleged attempted bribery by the suspect amounting to P3,126,900.

"He offered to dissuade Cong. Leviste from investigating DPWH projects in the 1st District," the PNP said in a report.