The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reassigned a district engineer facing corruption allegations, while a separate case involving a multimillion-peso bribery attempt has further intensified scrutiny of the agency.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan ordered the transfer of Muntinlupa–Las Piñas District Engineer Isabelo Baleros to another Metro Manila office, naming Ruel Umali as his replacement. In a memorandum, Bonoan directed Umali to “perform the duties and assume the responsibilities” of district engineer effective immediately.
The shake-up came weeks after Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos called for Baleros’ removal over alleged irregular transactions, including a controversial diversion of flood control funds. Bonoan earlier vowed that DPWH officials linked to substandard or “ghost” projects would face accountability, stressing that criminal charges would be pursued if warranted.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Sen. Panfilo Lacson revealed that Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste recently helped entrap a DPWH engineer who allegedly offered him up to ₱360 million in kickbacks. “My snappy salute to neophyte Cong. Leandro Leviste … May his tribe increase,” Lacson said in a post on X. No further details about the entrapment operation were released.
Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun challenged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to substantiate his public claims of flood control anomalies. “We will only take him seriously if his allegations … are placed on the record, supported by documents and tested under questioning,” Khonghun stressed, noting that whistleblowers must be ready to testify under oath with verifiable records.
Sen. Bam Aquino, for his part, urged the government to shift flood control planning toward science-based solutions. “It’s time to use a different strategy. Let’s tap our world-class Filipino scientists and other experts in preventing flooding,” Aquino said, warning against wasteful projects that fail to address the root causes of the problem. He has filed a resolution seeking a review of how DPWH and other agencies spent the ₱360-billion flood control budget under the 2025 national spending law.
Labor coalition NAGKAISA also joined calls for an independent fact-finding body, pushing for the inclusion of workers’ representatives to ensure transparency. Chairperson Sonny Matula said such a probe should be modeled after historic truth commissions, while urging law enforcement agencies to begin parallel investigations immediately to prevent further misuse of public funds.
