00:00The failed Batangas flood control project in question reeks of corruption and is up for a probe which could likely charge and convict all those involved.
00:08But then the cover-up act of a bribe offered to a lawmaker has put a Batangas 1st District Engineer in far deeper woes which are Melo Les Moras dwells at length in this report.
00:18Here at Taal Municipal Police Station in Batangas, Engineer Abelardo Calalo, one of the District Engineers of the Department of Public Works and Hirees or DPWH in Batangas, remains in custody.
00:33He was arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Ligar de Leviste in an apparent effort to stop him from investigating alleged anomalies in DPWH projects within the district.
00:46According to the police, they immediately responded last Friday after the incident was reported to them.
00:53Pumunta po kami doon, nabutan namin si DE na may hawak na ekobag at may lamang pera.
00:59Base po sa inventory namin, inabot siya ng 3.1, 26.9.
01:05Ongoing pa po kasi yung investigation, hindi pa ako makapagbigay ng eksaktong detalye.
01:11PTV News tried to get the suspect's side but he would rather have us talk to his lawyer.
01:16Baka pwede pong makunan kayo ng panig kung may gusto lang po kayo iparating sa publiko.
01:25According to Congressman Le Viste, he will formally file a complaint against Engineer Calalo tomorrow before the office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor.
01:34The congressman firmly stated that corruption in any form should never be tolerated.
01:39In fact, instead of halting his investigation, he personally visited the Binambang Riverbank Protection Project today,
01:47one of the allegedly anomalous DPWH projects in their district.
01:50The structure is noticeably damaged despite having built just a few years ago.
01:55This is more than just about the incident being discussed.
02:00This is about how we can get our money's worth on the 1 trillion pesos in flood control projects
02:05and whether it is really wise for the government to spend another 250 billion pesos plus for new projects in 2026
02:12when instead, if we just do audits like this, we can ask the contractors of the previous projects
02:18to cover the cost of repairing and extending them.
02:21Other lawmakers meanwhile praised Le Viste for his actions.
02:25Maganda yung ginawa ng congressman Le Viste. Tama yun.
02:29Kung kayo sir yung magiging ganun sa ganun sitwasyon, would you do the same po?
02:36Yes, I would do the same. In fact, talagang magagalit ka sa ganun eh.
02:42Sinawag ako agat si Senator Lawrence. Sabi ko, oh, ano na nangyari kay ganun, ganun eh.
02:46In so many words, sabi niya, yeah, I'm so worried about his security.
02:51So more or less, he confirmed na talaga nangyari yun.
02:53Mela Lesmoras from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
