Leviste denies illegally acquiring ‘Cabral files’

Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has given a categorical denial to reports that he obtained the so-called "Cabral files" through illegal or underhanded means.

- By ELLSON QUISMORIO

Leviste did so in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 30, nearly a day after a television news report showed closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of him going to the office of then-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral last September.

"I vehemently deny any allegation that I illegally obtained files from DPWH and also thank them for confirming the authenticity of the files that were given to me on September 4 with the approval of Sec Vince," Leviste said.

"The timing of the DPWH saying this now about an event months ago is suspect, and only raises questions on why DPWH doesn't just release all the files if there's nothing to hide," the neophyte congressman added.