MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has placed under preventive suspension Batangas first district engineer Abelardo Calalo following his arrest for allegedly trying to bribe Batangas Rep. Leandro Antonio Legarda Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda Leviste.

DPWH engineer in bribery scandal placed under preventive suspension

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Monday said that he immediately issued the preventive suspension order after he received the confirmatory report of Calalo's attempt to bribe the neophyte congressman.

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"I already issued the order placing him under preventive suspension," Bonoan said as he strongly warned other DPWH engineers against any kind of illegal acts.

Bonoan warned DPWH engineers that he will not tolerate wrongdoing and will not hesitate to file administrative and criminal charges against them.

"I will spare no one. Be like [Calalo] and see where that will lead you," Bonoan said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier lauded Leviste for the entrapment of the engineer who offered a P360 million bribe in exchange for the dropping of the investigation on questionable flood control projects in his district.

The entrapment operation took place in Taal.

Leviste, 32, founder of Solar Philippines, is the country’s youngest self-made billionaire.

"My snappy salute to neophyte Cong. Leandro Leviste, Batangas 1st District for the successful police entrapment operation against a corrupt DPWH District Engineer who tried to bribe him with up to P360 million in 'kickbacks' from infra projects in his district. May his tribe increase," Lacson posted on X on Sunday night.

Calalo may face charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.