The district engineer after the arrest for bribery attempt to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste Courtesy: Batangas PPO
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced that a district engineer arrested for allegedly offering a P3.126 million bribe to a Batangas congressman will be relieved of his assignment and placed on preventive suspension.
The DPWH stated that the allegations against the engineer, identified as “Abe,” are “deeply concerning” and are being taken “very seriously.” The engineer was arrested in a special operation in Taal, Batangas, on Friday evening.
According to initial investigations, the suspect allegedly offered Representative Leandro Leviste of Batangas’ 1st District the bribe in an attempt to dissuade an investigation into alleged anomalies involving DPWH projects within the district.
“As public servants, we at the DPWH do not condone any form of misconduct,” the DPWH said in a statement. “The individual involved will be relieved of his assignment, and preventive suspension will be implemented.”
The suspect is currently in the custody of the Taal Municipal Police Station and faces charges for corruption of public officials under the Revised Penal Code, as well as violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act at the Batangas Provincial Prosecutors Office.
The DPWH has expressed its full support for the ongoing investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparency and integrity in public service. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has also hinted at a possible “cleansing” within the department to remove erring officials and personnel.
