Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste on Monday released a new batch of documents from what he claims is his copy of the so-called “Cabral Files,” alleging that 146 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects worth around P20 billion included in the 2025 National Expenditure Program were linked to Edwin Gardiola, a representative of the Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list.
Leviste said he earlier presented the documents to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on November 19 and 20, 2025, and later to a field investigation team of the Office of the Ombudsman on November 26.
“Ini-upload ko ito Ngayon sa Facebook upang Makita ng lahat at upang makatulong and taumbayan sa build-up ng kaso kay Cong Gardiola,” Leviste said.
The lawmaker said he decided to upload the documents and lists of project proponents to demonstrate how the alleged Cabral Files could help identify anomalies within DPWH projects.
Earlier, during his guest appearance on Straight Talks of Daily Tribune, Leviste was asked about Gardiola’s role in infrastructure issues.
“I think Congressman Gardiola is significant because he is the biggest contractor today in Congress,” Rep. Leviste said.
Based on the documents, the P20 billion worth of projects were tagged as “CENTI 20” under “CENTI 2025” dated August 30, 2024. Leviste said many of these projects, or similar ones, appeared in the 2025 General Appropriations Act and had corresponding Special Allotment Release Orders from the Department of Budget and Management.
Leviste claimed that nearly half of the projects were awarded to companies allegedly owned by Gardiola’s family, including Newington Builders and S-Ang Construction, while the rest were awarded to firms he said were linked to the congressman, such as Readycon Trading and CT Leoncio.
Projects cited were located across several regions, including the National Capital Region, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Vizcaya, Mindoro, Palawan, Negros Oriental, and Bohol. Leviste also alleged that four road projects in his Batangas district were awarded to Readycon Trading.
“100% overpriced ito ayon sa among mga lokal na inhinyero, at kinausap ako ni Cong Gardiola noong Mayo upang humingi ng tulong nang ayaw itong aprubahan ng lokal na pamahalaan,” Leviste said.
He clarified that the presence of projects in a district does not automatically implicate the district’s representative, noting that contractors often choose project locations based on their connections with DPWH district engineers and regional directors.
“Mahalaga Ang papel ng DE o RD kung may di umano’y lutuan ng bidding sa DPWH,” Leviste said.
Leviste further claimed that DPWH projects linked to companies allegedly associated with Gardiola could total around P100 billion, including more than P70 billion awarded to companies linked to the lawmaker’s family from 2016 to 2025.
He added that around P30 billion worth of projects were allegedly awarded to firms linked to Gardiola, including Readycon Trading, CT Leoncio, and HGG Builders, from 2023 to 2025.
“Hindi lahat ng proyekto ng mga naturang kompanya ay may kaugnayan Kay Cong Gardiola, ngunit MARAMI ring ibang kompanya Ang di umano’y may kaugnayan sa kanya,” Leviste said.
According to Leviste, the main issue within DPWH goes beyond flood control projects and lies in the system of budget allocation and bidding.
“Ibig sabihin, hindi sapat na tinangal Ang flood control sa 2026 DPWH budget–dapat tigilan and di umano’y lututan ng bidding nanagyari sa halos 100 % ng proyekto,” he said.
On Tuesday, Vince Dizon said the Cabral Files released by Leviste did not have his approval, clarifying that he only authorized documents on district-level allocations reflected in the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act.
Dizon said it is now up to the Office of the Ombudsman and law enforcement agencies to determine the “veracity and authenticity” of the documents.