Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste admitted he made a mistake in naming erstwhile Public Works Undersecretary Arrey Perez as the official having links with contractors.
He disclosed this to the media yesterday, hours after Perez tendered his irrevocable resignation out of apparent “delicadeza.”
Perez resigned from his post after he apparently felt that he was the one being alluded to by Leviste. Manila Standard sought Perez’s comments on Leviste’s clarification, but a reply was unavailable as of this writing.
However, Leviste clarified yesterday afternoon that he was not referring to Perez, but rather another undersecretary whom he still refused to name.
“It’s another one [who met with contractors]. What I said earlier is that almost all appointees at the DPWH are being approached by contractors; maybe others do not agree to meet [with contractors], but I can say that almost all agree to meet,” he said in Filipino.
Perez was sworn in on September 29 and is not known to have participated in any DPWH projects in his 18 days on the job.
Before taking the DPWH position, the erstwhile undersecretary worked with Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Still, Leviste stood by his call for “top-to-bottom reforms” at the Department.
“I ask that we reform the policies at DPWH, like the lowering of prices and disclosure of budget information… and when we have done this, even if we find out that they met with contractors outside the office, we won’t suspect them of seeking kickbacks,” the Batangas solon said.
Meanwhile, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon assured that he will not tolerate any wrongdoing and will take swift action if evidence is found.
“We will not tolerate any wrongdoing in the DPWH. If evidence is found linking any of our officials to illegal activities or conflicts of interest, we will take swift and decisive action,” Dizon said in a statement.
He acknowledged growing concerns over potential conflicts of interest and corruption that could undermine the integrity of infrastructure projects across the country.
Dizon also reiterated the President’s directive for a clean-up of government institutions, with a particular focus on eliminating corrupt practices within agencies responsible for public infrastructure.
