The Palace has recommended that Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste discuss with the President his knowledge on the flood control project controversy, after having been bribed by a district engineer.

Leviste’s firsthand encounter, which led to the arrest of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Abelardo Calalo, may aid efforts to curb corrupt practices, reported RH 14 Leth Narciso.

“Mas maganda po na makausap din po ng Pangulo si Congressman Leviste, at kung ano ang kanyang mga nalaman kasi personal po siyang nakahuli dito kay district engineer at most probably, may mga contractor na nabanggit dito,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press conference on August 27.

“So, mas magandang makipag-ugnayan siya sa Pangulo para kung sinuman ang mga malalaking tao diumano na behind dito ay dapat ding makasuhan, hindi lamang po iyong district engineer,” she added.

On Tuesday, Leviste filed charges of direct bribery, corruption of public officials, along with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, before the Hall of Justice in Batangas City.

In a press conference, he revealed that over ₱300 million in kickbacks are purportedly embezzled from DPWH projects to the office of the congressman.