Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste did a volte face again yesterday, denying that he admitted not naming former Usec. Arrey Perez as having links with contractors.
The Batangas solon told reporters on Friday that he was not referring to Perez, but rather another undersecretary whom he still refused to name.
“I did not ask for the resignation of any DPWH official, I only named USec Perez after Secretary Dizon asked me to give an example,” he said.
Leviste also mentioned Perez’ name in an interview with DZRH. He said he has received credible information from multiple sources indicating that some of the newly appointed officials under DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon maintain links with contractors — raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest in upcoming infrastructure biddings.
He added that the media could conduct background checks on the officials in question, particularly on Usec. Perez, to verify these reports.
“Meron akong information tungkol sa history ni Usec. Arrey Perez na kung malaman ng publiko ay baka sasabihin ng iba hindi siya tamang humawak ng bidding ng central office ng DPWH,” Leviste told Dos Por Dos.
Manila Standard sought Perez’s comments on Leviste’s clarification, but a reply was unavailable as of this writing.
In a statement to the Manila Standard, Leviste said he did not deny that Perez has links with contractors.
“People have asked if it’s true that I denied that USec Perez has links with contractors – I did not. What I said was: There are more members of Secretary Dizon’s team linked to contractors, and one in particular was photographed with contractors in a recent meeting in a restaurant, and the one photographed was of another member of Secretary Dizon’s team,” Leviste said.
“While I am thankful for what Secretary Dizon has already done,” Leviste said, “I also hope he will respond to these 3 points that I’ve been raising: One, disclose each DPWH official’s connections and meetings with contractors, and how we will ensure they do not get kickbacks; Two, release the DPWH budget per legislative district (NEP and GAB), as committed in the September 17 budget hearing, and list of proponents, as requested by others and are readily available; and (3) Lower prices by 25 percent.”
Perez resigned from his post after he apparently felt that he was the one being alluded to by Leviste.
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).
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.
