Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste reaffirmed on Friday that some officials inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were found to be operating as contractors.

In an interview on “Dos Por Dos,” Leviste said his findings show that the issue of government officials engaging in contracting activities extends beyond Congress and into the DPWH bureaucracy itself.

“Meron tayong development… na may mga opisyal sa DPWH mismo na kontraktor,” he said.

Leviste added that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has already taken action following an internal investigation, removing an assistant secretary and a director who were reportedly linked to former DPWH Undersecretary Arrey Perez.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat kay Secretary Vince Dizon na pagkatapos ng kanyang internal investigation, tinanggal niya ang isang assistant secretary at isang director na dinala ni former Usec. Arrey Perez na mismo ay kontraktor,” he said.

Leviste earlier identified Perez in connection with the issue, noting that the former official had also been a contractor, a matter that he first raised on the same radio program.

According to the lawmaker, the new findings indicate that the problem is not isolated to legislators allegedly acting as contractors for public works projects.

“Kaya lumalabas po, hindi lang sa Kongreso may kontraktor, pati sa DPWH office may kontraktor,” he said, adding that other government agencies may also have officials facing similar investigations.

While he did not name additional DPWH personnel, Leviste said Dizon has committed to immediately removing any official found to be a contractor.

“Basta pag may nakita si Secretary Vince na contractor, tinatanggal niya kaagad,” he said, praising what he described as the secretary’s firm stand that DPWH officials cannot simultaneously operate as contractors.

Leviste said he intends to continue his inquiry as more information surfaces about government officials allegedly engaging in activities that pose conflicts of interest with their public posts.