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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Leviste: Sacked DPWH exec sought 'bridge' role between Gardiola and Dizon

Leviste: Sacked DPWH exec sought 'bridge' role between Gardiola and Dizon

Published Dec 5, 2025 04:36 pm

At A Glance

  • Anti-infrastructure corruption crusader Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is accusing resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez of trying to help Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola and other DPWH contractors secure contracts.
Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)
Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)


Anti-infrastructure corruption crusader Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is accusing resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez of trying to help Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola and other DPWH contractors secure contracts.
Leviste, in a interview on Friday, Dec. 5, specifically claimed that Perez tried to act as a "bridge" between Gardiola and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
“Usec Perez tried to bring Congressman Gardiola to Secretary Dizon to secure contracts. Perez is close to Gardiola from their time in Batangas, and would have been in a position to help influence biddings at DPWH as undersecretary for operations,” Leviste said.
The 32-year-old billionaire businessman-turned-solon hailed Perez's removal from the agency in this regard.
“Yes, I am thankful that DPWH acted on my statement that undersecretary Arrey Perez is linked to contractors, as his removal has reduced the influence of Gardiola and other contractors over biddings in DPWH’s central office,” Leviste said.
Last month, Leviste branded Gardiola as the "top DPWH contractor in Congress".
He estimated that companies linked with Gardiola have been able to secure over P100 billion in projects from the DPWH over the years with the help of their contacts throughout the agency.
The CWS Party-list solon had earlier denied any allegations of wrongdoing. ""I was disheartened to hear my name mentioned on alleged irregularities in flood control projects...I categorically deny any involvement in the acts being alleged. These claims are untrue," he said.
Leviste also disclosed that Perez brought into DPWH an assistant secretary and a director IV who were sub-contractors and suppliers of DPWH.
“I brought our findings to Secretary Dizon, who confirmed Perez’s ties with Gardiola, and I thank him for removing Usec Perez and the two DPWH officials who are contractors,” the district congressman said.
Following these developments, the DPWH confirmed “that the two people brought in by former Undersecretary Arrey Perez are also no longer with the agency and we welcome the independent vetting of all officials in the Department”.
Leviste, through his research, also learned that Perez had also previously recommended the awarding of contracts to CDC Construction & Supplies, another DPWH contractor.
Leviste’s exposé that DPWH officials were linked to, or were themselves, contractors came as investigations were being held on officials of other agencies who became DPWH contractors with flood control projects after assuming office, as well as other officials tagged as proponents in project lists from the DPWH Central Office.
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