DPWH Batangas DE files counter-affidavit vs Rep. Leviste's graft raps

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Batangas 1st District Engineer Abelardo Calalo has filed a counter-affidavit seeking the dismissal of graft and corruption charges filed against him by Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste.

Calalo strongly denies the accusations of violating Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code on corruption of public officials and Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices.

He asserted that Leviste's complaint-affidavit was false, baseless, and misleading, and insisted he had not committed any crime.

Calalo argued that the allegations against him stemmed from political maneuvering and maintained that donations from contractors were intended to support district projects, not to bribe or influence the congressman.

He also claimed the supposed entrapment operation that led to his arrest amounted to "instigation," which should result in acquittal.

The district engineer stated he has only worked in the district for about a year and met Leviste in December 2024.

He recounted a meeting after the May 2025 elections involving Leviste, Uswag Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang, and Senator Loren Legarda, where budget proposals for the 1st District of Batangas were discussed.

According to Calalo, Senator Legarda and Representative Ang instructed him to "take care" of her projects in the district.

Calalo claims Representative Ang later instructed him to collect donations from contractors with existing DPWH projects as a show of support for Leviste's initiatives.

Furthermore, Calalo stated that on July 31, 2025, Leviste informed him that some of his staff would be assigned to Calalo's office.