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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'To be implicated is painful': Gardiola denies flood control mess allegations

'To be implicated is painful': Gardiola denies flood control mess allegations

Published Nov 27, 2025 01:40 pm

At A Glance

  • Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola broke his silence on the flood control projects corruption scandal on Thursday, Nov. 27 as he denied any hand in the controversy.
Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola (Facebook)
Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola (Facebook)


Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola broke his silence on the flood control projects corruption scandal on Thursday, Nov. 27 as he denied any hand in the controversy.
"I was disheartened to hear my name mentioned on alleged irregularities in flood control projects. To be implicated in such matters is painful, not only for myself, but also for the people I have pledged to serve with integrity," Gardiola said in a statement posted on Facebook.
"I categorically deny any involvement in the acts being alleged. These claims are untrue," he added.
While Gardiola didn't mention any specific allegation, his statement was released just eight days after his House colleague, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste tagged him as the top contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Congress.
Leviste also claimed that Gardiola was involved in what the former insinuated as the dubious "pre-ordering" of P20 billion worth of infrastructure project contracts in the 2025 national budget.
Gardiola's name has also been brought up by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the Palace-created body serving as special investigator on anomalous and "ghost" flood mitigation projects.
On Wednesday, the ICI recommended administrative and criminal charges against Gardiola and seven other solons--collectively dubbed "cong-tractors" for their alleged association with construction firms.
In the case of Gardiola, he is being linked to Newington Builders, Inc.; Lourel Development Corporation; and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.
"As a public servant, I am accountable to the people. That is why I welcome the chance to face the witness who implicated me, but in the proper forum and under proceedings where my constitutional rights are respected," the CWS Party-list solon said.
"I owe it to my constituents, my family, and the Filipino people to clear my name in the right way. My work has always been guided by service, not self-interest. I remain steadfast in that mission. and I am confident that, in the end, truth and justice will prevail," Gardiola said.
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