Suspended Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formally denied graft and corruption charges filed against him by Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, asserting that the case is politically motivated.
In a counter-affidavit submitted last Friday, Calalo characterized the accusations as a “distortion of the truth” and alleged that Representative Leviste was driven by political interests. Calalo noted that he assumed his post at the Batangas 1st District Engineering Office only in 2024 and first met Leviste in December of the same year.
Following the May 2025 elections, Calalo recounted attending a budget meeting with Leviste, Senator Loren Legarda, and Uswag Party-list Representative Jojo Ang to discuss the proposed 2026 budget. During that meeting, he claimed Senator Legarda instructed him to “take care” of her infrastructure projects in the district, in coordination with Representative Ang.
According to Calalo, on May 28, 2025, Ang allegedly directed him to solicit “donations” from DPWH contractors as a gesture of support for Leviste’s projects. On July 31, Calalo asserted that Leviste sent staff members to his office, where they purportedly searched through project documents, took photographs, and demanded files—all without formal authority. He described the incident as a “witch-hunt.”
Calalo further alleged that on August 5, Ang reiterated the solicitation of contractor contributions, characterizing them as expressions of support rather than bribes. Ang was also said to have remarked that the donations could be returned if Leviste disapproved, citing the congressman’s billionaire status.
On August 14, Calalo claimed that Leviste personally visited his office and demanded information regarding contractors allegedly linked to former congressman Eric Buhain, a connection Calalo denied. A week later, Ang reportedly followed up on the solicitation, prompting a meeting between Calalo and Leviste on August 22.
During that meeting, Calalo alleged that Leviste pressed for the names of contractors and speculated on potential fundraising amounts—mentioning figures as high as ₱360 million, based on a purported 10% share. Calalo said Leviste then instructed him to bring the money. When he returned from retrieving it from his vehicle, police officers were already present and arrested him.
Calalo maintained that the funds were intended for Leviste’s district projects and were never handed over to the congressman. “I vehemently deny that I attempted to offer money to Congressman Leviste in exchange for any favor,” he stated, describing the event as an “instigation” rather than a lawful entrapment.
He further criticized Leviste’s conduct, saying: “Ordinary individuals should not be reduced to disposable instruments in pursuit of political objectives.”
Leviste’s response
In a Facebook post, Representative Leviste countered Calalo’s claims, revealing that the money Calalo attempted to deliver included receipts for three contracts totaling ₱104.2 million, along with a handwritten note indicating a “3%” cut—equivalent to over ₱3.1 million.
Leviste also alleged that Calalo had previously identified other contractors who were willing to contribute and questioned why those details were omitted from his affidavit. He urged Calalo to disclose how contractors are selected and who else may have been involved.
“He admits to collecting money from contractors with the intention of giving it to me, claiming it was a donation—but the money came with receipts,” Leviste concluded.|
