DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Denies Bribery Allegations
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo has firmly denied allegations of bribery involving Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste. According to sources, the P3.1 million in question was a donation from a contractor, which Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Representative Jojo Ang reportedly instructed Calalo to deliver for the solon’s district projects.
Calalo clarified that the money was not a bribe but a contribution collected from construction contractors with ongoing 2025 DPWH projects within Batangas’ 1st District. This was allegedly done to show support for the projects and programs initiated by Cong. Leviste, officials noted.
New Public Works Secretary Commits to Budget Overhaul
Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon chose not to present during the budget deliberations at the House of Representatives. Instead, he pledged to follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to thoroughly revise and fix the agency’s budget.
During the House Committee on Appropriations hearing, Dizon announced he will collaborate with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to address and correct errors found in the proposed 2026 budget. They are prepared to overhaul the budget if necessary, sources said, to ensure proper allocation and transparency.
Pasig Police Reaffirm Peacekeeping After Construction Site Vandalism
The Pasig City Police Station reiterated its commitment to uphold peace and order following protests and vandalism at the St. Gerrard Construction building. The property, owned by contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, became the center of rising tensions between protesters and private security personnel.
Pasig police chief, Col. Hendrix Mangaldan, declared that officers will enforce the law “without fear or favor.” This statement came amid public criticism regarding alleged favoritism and the escalating confrontations, local leaders reported.
ICC Registry Sees Surge in Victim Applications Against Former President
The International Criminal Court’s Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) recently submitted 25 additional victim applications. These applications aim to join the potential trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte concerning alleged crimes against humanity.
Officials overseeing the ICC proceedings confirmed the transmission of these applications on August 27, signaling growing participation in the pretrial process.
Government to Launch Unified 911 Emergency Hotline Nationwide
On September 11, the government will introduce a single nationwide 911 emergency hotline, replacing over 30 local numbers. This unified system intends to accelerate police, fire, medical, and disaster response services across the country.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) explained that the “Unified 911” will streamline emergency calls by connecting them through one network. Community members said this initiative addresses longstanding confusion and inconsistent response times caused by fragmented emergency hotlines.
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