Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste warned that approving the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) without lowering project costs by 25 percent would be tantamount to endorsing the entrenched system of kickbacks that has long plagued the agency.
“Kung papayagan natin na maaprubahan iyan na hindi ibaba ang presyo ng DPWH projects sa 2026, ang masasabi ko po ay business-as-usual pa, hindi po mababago ang kultura ng kickbacks sa DPWH projects,” Leviste said during the “Public Works Reform Agenda” series segment on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday.
Leviste said the government has the opportunity to introduce immediate reforms in public works spending by reducing project costs by at least 25 percent, arguing that this reduction represents the “kickback margin” allegedly built into project budgets.
He said lowering prices across the board would not only clean up DPWH transactions but also free up billions for social services such as education.
“Ang DPWH budget ay ₱625 billion. Kung ibaba lang natin ang presyo ng mga inaaprubahang proyekto, pwede nating pondohan ang mga kinakansela nating ibang pangangailangan,” he said, adding that the savings could be redirected to building new classrooms.
The Batangas lawmaker emphasized that the culture of corruption within the DPWH is systemic and cannot be addressed by punishing individuals alone.
According to Leviste, only structural reforms, such as recalibrating project costs and increasing transparency, can break the long-standing chain of collusion and kickbacks within the agency.
“Kung tunay pong reporma ang gusto natin sa DPWH, kahit ngayong linggo, kayang ibaba ang presyo at ilabas ang karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa 2026 projects,” he said.
Leviste cited statements made by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claimed that “almost 100%” of projects nationwide have rigged bidding processes.
He said this reinforces his call to re-examine the 2026 budget and reduce inflated allocations that perpetuate corruption.
“Sinabi rin ni former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, almost 100% ng mga proyekto sa buong bansa ay may rigged bidding. Ngayong lumabas na ang mga impormasyon na iyan, paano tayo hindi gagawa ng bago para sa 2026 DPWH budget,” Leviste said.
Leviste warned that if Congress fails to act, the same inefficiencies and irregularities will continue to drain public funds.
“Ang masasabi ko po ay business-as-usual pa,” he said, stressing that the time to implement reform is before the 2026 budget is finalized.
He said he will continue pushing for the 25 percent cut and will not stop until the DPWH takes action.
“I will not stop until they do,” Leviste said.
