Leviste tags Gardiola as top DPWH project proponent

Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste has elaborated on his claims that Rep. Edwin Gardiola is among the biggest proponents in the ongoing flood control probe, alongside notorious names like Sarah Discaya and Zaldy Co.

In an ambush interview, Leviste said Gardiola ranks “up there” among the most notorious figures in the investigation.

“Ayon sa aking research, ang pinakamalaking buyer ng mga proyekto sa DPWH ay si Cong. Edwin Gardiola. Siya po ang pinakamalaking buyer sa buong bansa,” Leviste told reporters.

Recent findings suggest that Gardiola allegedly “bought” around P22 billion worth of projects in the 2025 budget, which Leviste presented in tables during a press conference on November 19, 2025.

While this does not directly link Gardiola to wrongdoing, Leviste questions why the projects listed were eventually awarded to Gardiola-linked firms. He believes this “provides strong evidence” of a scheme some lawmakers may be using to financially benefit from government projects.

Leviste explained that, in his view, Gardiola may have contacted Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to request specific projects that could later be awarded to his construction firms—or those connected to him—in exchange for money.

During a DZRH interview, Leviste expanded on his claims, saying that ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson told him Gardiola was the second-largest proponent of such projects, even surpassing the Discayas.

As a fellow Batangas resident, Leviste also recounted how Gardiola offered to fund road projects in his district and others, but insisted he would choose the contractors. His research reportedly uncovered over P100 billion worth of contracts from DPWH projects linked to Gardiola, supporting his earlier claims that arrangements were made even before the budget was finalized.

Leviste reiterated that he obtained a list from former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral in August 2024, which detailed over P20 billion worth of projects for the following year. According to him, all these projects were awarded to companies and contractors connected to Gardiola.

“May pre-ordering pala ng proyekto sa DPWH,” he said, suggesting that officials might prepare contractor lists before budget approvals, then manipulate the bidding process—a practice hinted at in past Senate and Blue Ribbon hearings.

Though he is unsure who Gardiola coordinates with directly, Leviste claims that Gardiola’s “ninong” is Manuel Bonoan. He added, “Dapat i-disclose ng DPWH yung mga listahan na ito,” stressing the need for transparency.

Leviste also said the ICI had never received the original files; attempts to retrieve them revealed only printed documents, as the computers containing the data were already gone. He obtained the files from Cabral after a scheduled meeting following Bonoan’s resignation.

Leviste’s revelations add another layer of scrutiny to the flood control project allocations, highlighting potential lapses in oversight and accountability. As investigations continue, questions remain about how these projects were awarded and whether the processes behind them were manipulated for personal gain.