MANILA — Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste has urged Congress to investigate the alleged connection between Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Construction Workers Solidarity party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola, vowing to expose what he described as their “modus.” The lawmaker claimed the two officials may be linked to attacks against him after he began probing infrastructure projects in Batangas.

Speaking to reporters, Leviste said, “Nang sinimulan kong imbestigahan ang DPWH Batangas at ang mga kompanyang konektado sa mga Gardiola, sunod-sunod na ang mga atake sa akin, na sinasabing may kinalaman sa mga Recto at Gardiola.” He added, “Nananawagan ako sa Kongreso na imbestigahan ang mga koneksiyon ni Gardiola kay Recto, lalo na ngayong Executive Secretary na siya.”

Leviste also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to look into whether Gardiola has support from within Malacañang. “Dapat ring suriin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos kung may tumutulong kay Gardiola mula sa loob ng Malacañang,” he said.

In a separate Facebook post, Leviste claimed that Recto and Gardiola had once offered him a partnership. “Inalok ako nina Secretary Ralph Recto at Cong. Edwin Gardiola na maging partner nila,” he wrote, without elaborating on the nature of the supposed partnership. He added that he would seek time in Congress to deliver a privilege speech to reveal their alleged scheme. “Hihiling ako sa Kongreso ng oras upang ilahad ang modus nila, para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan.”

Leviste also posted a photo showing himself with Recto, Gardiola, and two others making a “VL” hand sign, which he said was taken during a meeting where they asked for his support in the campaign of Vilma Santos-Recto and Lucky Manzano. “Ito ang picture ng meeting kung saan hiningi nila ang tulong ko para sa kampanya nina Vilma at Lucky,” he wrote.

Gardiola was previously named by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure as one of several lawmakers allegedly linked to construction firms with government projects. Leviste accused him of being among the biggest proponents of Department of Public Works and Highways projects in Batangas.

Leviste said he once respected Recto, noting, “Noong bata pa ako, ginagalang ko si Sec. Ralph Recto dahil kaibigan siya ng aking ina. Nanumpa pa ako sa kanya bilang paggalang.”

The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of infrastructure projects in Batangas and raises questions about political alliances and alleged conflicts of interest within the administration.

Image from Leandro Legarda Leviste