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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson gives big props to Legarda Leviste for leading arrest of DPWH engineer who offered P360-M kickback

Lacson gives big props to Legarda Leviste for leading arrest of DPWH engineer who offered P360-M kickback

Published Aug 25, 2025 04:08 am  |  Updated Aug 25, 2025 03:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson gave Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste the ultimate compliment after the latter rejected a nine-digit bribe from a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer in connection with infrastructure projects in his district.
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)


Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson gave Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste the ultimate compliment after the latter rejected a nine-digit bribe from a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer in connection with infrastructure projects in his district.
Not only that, but Legarda Leviste, a neophyte congressman, even helped stage an entrapment operation that led to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) arrest of the engineer.
"MY snappy salute to neophvte Cong Leandro Leviste, Batangas 1st District for the successful police entrapment operation against a corrupt DPWH District Engineer who tried to bribe him with up to P360M in 'kickbacks' from infra projects in his district," Lacson wrote on X Sunday night, Aug 24.
Lacson cited information reaching him showing that the bribe offer was related to the reported P3.6 billion worth of "approved" budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act in the form of "kickbacks," which was supposed to represent 10 percent or P360 million, or an increase from the usual 5-6 percent "passing through" or "parking fee" for the district representative having jurisdiction over the project sites.
"May his tribe increase," Lacson added of the 33-year-old solon from Batangas.
The incident came amid intense public suspicion that lawmakers were pocketing kickbacks from flood control projects, which end up being compromised as a result.
Regarding the entrapment of the district engineer, Lacson said that Legarda Leviste "did it on his own".
Suffice if to say that the engineer didn’t do his research on his subject; aside from being a promising young solon, Legarda Leviste is also the country’s youngest self-made billionaire. Meaning, he doesn't get blinded by the allure of money.
Legarda Leviste is the founder of Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation. In 2024, he decided to focus on public service and sold a controlling stake in his company to Meralco for P34 billion.
His district consists of the municipalities of Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, Balayan, Lemery, Taal, and the city of Calaca. 
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