Levista Breaks Silence on DPWH Insertions, Vows Direct Disclosure in Congress

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has publicly addressed circulating claims regarding alleged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget insertions linked to the late undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

In a statement released on social media, Leviste clarified that any partial list of insertions currently circulating did not originate from him. He stressed that should he decide to release information related to the matter, he would do so directly and transparently—without intermediaries.

Leviste further cited figures from the proposed 2025 DPWH National Expenditure Program (NEP), noting that ₱401.3 billion is allocable to district congressmen, ₱14.5 billion to party-list representatives, ₱20.6 billion to senators of the 19th Congress, and ₱285.4 billion attributed to other proponents.

Acknowledging public anger surrounding the issue, the lawmaker said he understands the frustration directed toward him but emphasized that he has no intention of making the issue personal or targeting individuals. Instead, Leviste announced his plan to formally raise the matter in Congress after the Christmas recess.

The statement positions Leviste as calling for institutional accountability rather than public trial by speculation—placing the issue squarely within legislative scrutiny rather than social media narratives.

Why Leviste Is Waiting on DPWH Before Releasing Cabral Files

Leviste Explains Delay in Releasing DPWH Files, Cites Due Process and Transparency Push

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has clarified why he is not yet releasing documents related to alleged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget insertions that were obtained from the late undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

In a detailed statement, Leviste said he is deliberately waiting for the DPWH to make the files public, believing that transparency is best served when the disclosure comes directly from the implementing agency. He noted that he previously discussed this approach with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon during a meeting on September 4, where both agreed on the importance of public disclosure.

Leviste acknowledged that releasing the documents may be difficult due to the number of individuals potentially affected, but expressed hope that DPWH would proceed in the interest of transparency.

He also confirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman formally requested copies of the files from DPWH earlier this week. According to Leviste, the documents were submitted to the Ombudsman the following day, and he welcomed the fact that multiple copies now exist among DPWH staff to reduce the risk of loss or tampering.

While the full public release has yet to happen, Leviste said several steps are already underway to ensure that information related to the DPWH budget becomes accessible. He reiterated that his goal is not to politicize the issue but to uphold accountability through proper institutional channels.

The lawmaker stressed that transparency must be anchored in process, not shortcuts, emphasizing that lasting accountability requires verifiable records and lawful disclosure.