Leviste Presents Evidence vs. Gardiola Over Alleged ₱20-B DPWH Contracts

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste

Leviste Presents Evidence vs. Gardiola Over Alleged ₱20-B DPWH Contracts

By Bing Jabadan and Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | November 21, 2025

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines – A political firestorm is erupting in the country as Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste presented what he claims is irrefutable evidence that Construction Workers Solidarity Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola orchestrated a “pre-order” of over ₱20 billion worth of contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) before the 2025 National Expenditure Program received congressional approval.

The allegations, if proven, could expose widespread corruption and bid-rigging within the agency.

Leviste, positioning himself as a whistleblower, alleges that Gardiola has leveraged undue influence within the DPWH to become “the largest DPWH contractor in Congress.”

The centerpiece of his evidence is a document dated Aug. 30, 2024, purportedly originating from the office of former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral.

Leviste asserts that the document lists projects that were subsequently awarded in 2025 to companies with alleged ties to Gardiola, raising serious questions about the integrity of the bidding process.

“How can projects be earmarked for specific contractors months before Congress even approves the budget?” Leviste demanded, calling on both Cabral and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to explain the document’s existence.

He believes this constitutes compelling evidence for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Ombudsman to launch a full-scale investigation into potential collusion and bid-rigging.

The controversial list includes projects within Leviste’s own district, adding a personal dimension to his crusade.

The projects included:

• ₱514.25 million for roads in Tuy, Batangas, awarded to Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. (Readycon).

• ₱280 million for road projects in Calatagan, Batangas, awarded to S-Ang Construction & General Trading, Inc. (S-Ang).

While S-Ang is reportedly owned by Gardiola’s family, Leviste alleges that the Readycon project was proposed and implemented for Gardiola’s benefit, citing information gleaned from DPWH officials and, allegedly, Gardiola himself.

This suggests a sophisticated system of proxy contracting designed to obscure the true beneficiaries of lucrative government projects.

Leviste’s investigation goes beyond these specific projects.

He claims research conducted by his office indicates that companies bearing the Gardiola family name have secured an estimated ₱42 billion in DPWH projects between 2001 and 2025.

He further claims that only approximately one-third of projects within Gardiola’s district were awarded to companies directly bearing his family name, with the remaining two-thirds going to other entities.

This leads Leviste to estimate that the total value of projects linked to Gardiola-connected companies within the DPWH could exceed a staggering ₱100 billion, painting a picture of systemic exploitation of public funds.

Adding further weight to his claims, Leviste presented the ICI with a list of project proponents from the DPWH – a document the ICI reportedly stated they had never seen before.

Members of the ICI visited Leviste’s office to review this list as part of their ongoing investigation.

Leviste claims the ICI has expressed concerns about limited access to DPWH offices and computer systems, hindering their ability to connect project origins to specific contractors.

ICI spokesperson Atty. Brian Hosaka previously confirmed that Gardiola’s name was first brought to the ICI’s attention during Leviste’s presentation.

According to Leviste, ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson has identified Gardiola as the second-largest DPWH contractor, trailing only Zaldy Co and surpassing the Discaya family.

Leviste acknowledged public concerns that Gardiola may be receiving preferential treatment or facing less scrutiny despite his prominent contractor status.

He expressed gratitude to Congress for allowing him to conduct the investigation and to the Ombudsman for initiating its own inquiry into Gardiola’s DPWH projects.

Joining Leviste at the press conference was Jay Manalo Ilagan, former Mayor of Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, Gardiola’s hometown. Ilagan revealed that he has received a subpoena from the Ombudsman to provide evidence related to Gardiola’s DPWH projects. Ilagan expressed hope that Gardiola will be among the first to face charges this year, stating that the investigation will reveal Gardiola as the “largest buyer of projects in the DPWH,” a damning indictment of the alleged corruption.

The Stakes:

Allegations of “Pre-Ordering”:

• Leviste’s central claim that Gardiola secured project contracts *before* official approval strikes at the heart of the democratic process.

Potential for Widespread Corruption:

• The estimated value of Gardiola-linked contracts, potentially exceeding ₱100 billion, suggests a deeply entrenched system of corruption.

Challenges to Accountability:

• The ICI’s reported difficulties in accessing DPWH information raise concerns about transparency and the ability to hold powerful individuals accountable.

Public Trust on the Line:

• This scandal has the potential to further erode public trust in government institutions.

This developing story is poised to send shockwaves through the Philippine government and the construction industry. The investigations by the ICI and the Ombudsman will be closely watched, and the outcome could have significant repercussions for the future of infrastructure development in the country. The question now is whether these investigations will be allowed to proceed unimpeded, and whether those responsible for any wrongdoing will be brought to justice.