Leviste Highlights Admission of Contractor Donations
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste reacted sharply to the counter-affidavit submitted by DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo, whom he accused of direct bribery and corruption. Leviste stressed that the key revelation was Calalo’s admission of receiving donations from contractors.
“At least he admitted getting donations from contractors,” Leviste said, emphasizing the significance of this acknowledgment in the ongoing investigation.
Calalo’s Defense and Claims
In his affidavit, Calalo denied bribing Leviste and explained that the money allegedly used to bribe the congressman was actually a donation from a contractor. He said Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang instructed him to bring these funds to support projects in the district.
Calalo maintained he had no intention to personally hand over the donations to Leviste, asserting, “I only brought the donations of the contractor solely upon the instructions of Cong. Jojo Ang.”
Leviste Points Out Contradictions
Despite Calalo’s denial, Leviste underscored that the district engineer effectively admitted to receiving donations from contractors. “At least it seems that DE has admitted getting donations from contractors,” he remarked in a public statement.
Leviste further revealed that the cash used in the alleged bribery came with documentation: a receipt for three contracts totaling ₱104,230,000 and a note indicating “3 percent 3,126,900.”
Details on Contractors and Contracts
According to DPWH records cited by Leviste, the contracts were awarded to Toptech Trading & Construction Co., Inc., owned by Elrey Jose C. Noche of Lemery, Batangas. Leviste added that Noche has since left the country.
Leviste also noted discrepancies in Calalo’s affidavit, pointing out that the engineer omitted mention of another contractor who had offered an initial ₱15 million donation. Calalo also failed to disclose conversations with several other contractors who were reportedly prepared to provide support.
Call for Transparency on Contractor Support
Leviste challenged Calalo to be transparent about the full range of contractors involved. “To show that he is not covering up for contractors, [Calalo] can admit the long list of names of other contractors and proponents of projects whom he told me were also ready and willing to give support, and how contractors are selected for projects in the 1st District of Batangas,” Leviste said.
Legal Actions and Suspension
Before the submission of the counter-affidavit, Calalo was arrested following Leviste’s complaint but was later released on bail totaling ₱150,000. Officials also reported that Calalo was suspended by then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan amid the controversy.
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