“The question is no longer what happened. It is who allowed it.”

Good governance advocate Dr. Tony Leachon posed that question on Thursday in connection with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s much-touted EDSA rehabilitation project as it faces a Senate probe after potholes emerged on recently rehabilitated sections following the recent heavy monsoon rains.

Leachon questioned why contractor Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. was allowed to participate in the project despite its partnership with companies associated with the Gardiola construction group of the family of Rep. Edwin Gardiola in previous joint ventures.

The EDSA Rehabilitation Project Phase 2 from Orense Street in Makati City to Monumento in Caloocan City was awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Readycon in a joint venture with Dumduma Construction and Trading Corp. for P4,009,473,018.88.

Representative Gardiola has been in the construction business for decades and companies owned by his family have secured about P16 billion worth of government projects since he became a lawmaker in 2022.

The original EDSA rehabilitation was scheduled to begin in June 2025 during the tenure of then DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan. President Marcos, however, suspended the planned rehabilitation on 1 June 2025 and ordered a redesign to reduce its projected high traffic impact.

The revised project was eventually begun on 24 December 2025. Phase 1 covered the section from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Orense Street, while Phase 2 covered Orense Street to Monumento.

Phase 1 was awarded to Readycon and it was completed in April 2026. Phase 2 was awarded to Readycon in a joint venture with Dumduma Construction. The notice to proceed was issued on 8 June.

Readycon also secured a separate P1,183,374,622.61 contract from the DPWH for the Asset Preservation Program-Preventive Maintenance of the primary roads of EDSA.

“Who is the high-ranking Cabinet official who is close to Cong Gardiola? That is the missing piece—the quiet power behind the contractor networks, the unseen hand behind ‘pre-ordered’ projects, the protector whose silence speaks louder than any press release,” Leachon said.

“This is not just about potholes. This is about public trust eroding faster than our roads,” he added, saying that Readycon’s involvement raised broader questions about contractor accountability and alleged political interference in public infrastructure.

Leviste talks

Readycon was identified by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste in November 2025 as one of two contractors that allegedly secured DPWH projects linked to Representative Gardiola of the Construction Workers Solidarity Party-list. The other was S-Ang Construction and General Trading Inc.

Leviste alleged that P794.25-million worth of projects in his district were associated with Gardiola, including a P514.25-million project awarded to Readycon and a P280-million job that went to S-Ang. He said the figures were based on documents he obtained from the late former DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral that were known as the “Cabral Files.”

The allegations were referred to the now defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action but remain unproven.

Lacson probe

The questions on the contractor came as Sen. Panfilo Lacson sought a Senate investigation into the EDSA rehabilitation project.

Lacson filed Senate Resolution 594 on Thursday directing the Senate Committee on Public Works to review the project’s design and engineering standards and determine accountability.

“For nearly a week, persistent southwest monsoon rains drenched parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, damaging several main thoroughfares, including recently rehabilitated sections of EDSA. The emergence of fresh potholes means the newly repaired avenue will require another round of maintenance,” Lacson said.

He said the rapid deterioration of recently rehabilitated roads exposed flaws in the planning, design, construction, and management of costly public infrastructure projects.

Palace denial

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Readycon was not owned by Gardiola. She said DPWH contractors undergo proper vetting and must meet the qualifications required by law.

Castro said the damage to EDSA should be investigated and those responsible held accountable, and the government should not shoulder the repair costs because the project remains under warranty.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon likewise disputed claims that Readycon was owned by or associated with Gardiola. He also said the contractor would shoulder the cost of repairing the damaged section without additional expense to the government.

But for Leachon, there are just too many questions that must be answered.

“Readycon’s repeated appearance in controversies—from joint ventures with Gardiola-linked firms to wage-hike suppression—raises urgent questions. [Senator] Lacson’s probe is a chance to uncover not just technical failures, but political complicity,” Leachon said.

DAILY TRIBUNE has been trying to get a reaction from Readycon.