Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan,
(Editorial)
THE arrest of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer for allegedly attempting to bribe Representative Leandro Leviste of Batangas is a stark reminder of the deep-seated corruption that continues to plague the Philippine government.
This incident, involving Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo, is not an isolated case, but rather a symptom of a systemic problem that has eroded public trust and hindered the country’s progress for far too long. It’s time to acknowledge that simply reshuffling personnel or conducting superficial investigations will not suffice; a comprehensive and radical overhaul of the DPWH is urgently needed.
The brazenness of the alleged bribery attempt is particularly alarming. That an engineer would feel so emboldened as to offer a multi-million peso bribe to a sitting congressman suggests a culture of impunity within the DPWH. It implies that such practices are not uncommon, and that those involved believe they can operate with little fear of consequence.
This is a direct assault on the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance, and it cannot be tolerated. The fact that the bribe was allegedly intended to dissuade Rep. Leviste from investigating questionable flood control projects raises serious concerns about the integrity of these projects and the potential misuse of public funds.
While we commend Rep. Leviste for his integrity in refusing the bribe and cooperating with authorities, the incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms.
How many other instances of bribery and corruption go unreported? How many substandard or overpriced projects are approved due to collusion between DPWH officials and unscrupulous contractors?
These are questions that must be answered if we are to truly address the problem of corruption in the DPWH. The government must take decisive action to strengthen oversight, promote transparency, and hold those who engage in corrupt practices accountable to the full extent of the law.
Only then can we begin to restore public trust and ensure that infrastructure projects are implemented efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all Filipinos.
