After months of silence, Gardiola denies hand in public works corruption

MANILA, Philippines – Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Representative Edwin Gardiola denied his alleged involvement in the public works corruption scandal, in his first public statement since August.

“I was disheartened to hear my name mentioned on (sic) alleged irregularities in flood control projects,” Gardiola said in a statement posted on Facebook. “These claims are untrue.”

Rappler first reported three months ago on the windfall of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts that his family’s companies had secured since he became a congressman in 2022.

S-Ang, Newington, and Lourel Development Corporation — owned by either his wife, children, or siblings — received P17 billion in flood control and other government contracts since 2023, coinciding with the time he became House appropriations vice chairman.

At the time, his camp told Rappler that Gardiola has no interests in the said companies, and that the Batangueño politician “has an established track record of over four decades in business.”

Play Video

Earlier in November, Rappler published a two-part follow-up investigation detailing his alleged scheme to buy DPWH contracts from budget gatekeepers and resell them to contractors at a markup, as well as his alleged efforts to recruit fellow House lawmakers to join the scheme.

Rappler’s follow-up investigative project was based on interviews with several sources, including former and current lawmakers and their top staff, and local politicians in Batangas — where he is from — who are knowledgeable about how the congressman allegedly operates.

Among Rappler’s sources who agreed to be quoted on record was Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, who has since expounded on his allegations against Gardiola. The freshman lawmaker even alleged that Gardiola “pre-ordered” P22 billion in DPWH projects in the 2025 budget, which were later awarded to companies allegedly tied to him.

Play Video

Aside from Rappler, broadcast news outlet Bilyonaryo News Channel has also aired shoe-leather reports on Gardiola, detailing his alleged lavish lifestyle and luxurious properties.

In his statement Thursday, Gardiola asserted that truth will prevail in the end.

It came a day after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and DPWH recommended the filing of a new set of criminal and administrative complaints against Gardiola and seven other current and former lawmakers.

“I welcome the chance to face the witness who implicated me, but in the proper forum and under proceedings where my constitutional rights are respected,” Gardiola said. – Rappler.com