Anti-infrastructure corruption crusader, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste hailed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon for sacking two agency officials who turned out to be contractors.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum Wednesday, Dec. 3, Leviste presented to the media a letter signed by Dizon rescinding the appointment of the two DPWH officials--an assistant secretary and a director IV.

“Secretary Vince did not know these two were contractors initially, and I thank him for acting quickly once an investigation confirmed this. I also thank Secretary Vince for removing Undersecretary Perez after he attempted to bring Gardiola to him, and after I heard that if you want extra budget, you can talk to Congressman Gardiola who became close to Usec Perez from their time in Batangas,” Leviste during the news forum.

The 32-year-old solon was referring to undersecretary Arrey Perez, who he said brought in the two officials.

Leviste said on Oct. 16 that multiple appointees in DPWH have links to contractors or were contractors themselves; he said Dizon committed to conduct an investigation.

The next day, Oct. 17, Perez designed from the agency.

Perez, Leviste claimed, was linked to Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola. Leviste estimates that companies connected with Gardiola have been able to secure over P100 billion in projects from the DPWH.

The Batangas lawmaker said that he would no longer elaborate on the assistant secretary and director IV who were contractors, or the details of Perez’s bringing Gardiola to Dizon, citing that he already spoke with Dizon that they have been removed from DPWH and confirmed these contractors will not be allowed to meddle with the agency.

The DPWH is at the center of the flood control projects corruption scandal, which has rocked the Marcos administration to its core.

Dizon, Leviste said, acknowledged that Perez was close to Gardiola, but that he will not be allowed to exert influence in the DPWH Central Office.

“The government is full of DPWH contractors, and officials from all over government – not only congressmen and senators – try to get insertions. This diverts the budget towards money-making projects like flood control and roads instead of classrooms and hospitals in districts like mine that do not condone buying budgets and bid-rigging,” Leviste said.

Gardiola had earlier denied allegations of wrongdoing in connection with infrastructure projects.

"I categorically deny any involvement in the acts being alleged. These claims are untrue," he said.

Leviste said that investigations are ongoing on an undersecretary of another agency who became a DPWH contractor with flood control projects after assuming office, as well as officials tagged as proponents in a list of projects from the DPWH Central Office.

Another result of the discussions between Leviste and Dizon has been the lowering of the Construction Material Price Data of DPWH, which DPWH estimates will save the government P60 billion.

“We have had a very fruitful past few months working with Secretary Vince, and I look forward to working together further to push reforms in the DPWH and the budget process,” Leviste said.