Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste on Friday cast doubt on the procurement track record of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez, after claiming that some DPWH officials are allegedly connected to contractors — if not contractors themselves.
“Ang nababalitaan ko rin po ay plano daw ni Secretary Vince Dizon na ipahawak kay Undersecretary Arreh Perez ang bidding ng DPWH sa Central Office. Maraming mga madidisappoint kung makita nila ang history ng bidding and procurement ni Undersecretary Arrey Perez,” Leviste said in a press conference.
According to the Batangas lawmaker, he mentioned Perez’s name after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon asked him to identify the officials he had been referring to.
“Dahil kung may sampung tao na nagbigay sa akin ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga appointees ni Secretary Dizon, ang pinakamarami na sa mga sampung ito ay si Undersecretary Arrey Perez,” he added.
However, in a phone interview with reporters covering the House of Representatives, Leviste later clarified that Perez was not a contractor.
“I have received information about many of the appointees of the Secretary. And what I have learned about Usec Perez is that he is not the contractor. I’m not sure if he is or not,” Leviste said.
The congressman also clarified that Perez was not the same official he had earlier accused of meeting three contractors at a restaurant outside DPWH.
“Hindi si Perez ‘yung sinasabi kong contractor na nakipag-meeting sa mga tatlong contractors outside of DPWH in a restaurant and inaalok na siya,” Leviste explained.
“I said a while ago, halos lahat nilalapitan at kilala at may connection sa mga contractor. Iyong sinasabi ko ay meron specific individual na nag-meeting sa tatlong contractors, iba ‘yun. Hindi si Perez,” he added.
When asked if he still believed Perez had met with contractors, Leviste responded, “Yes. But he is not the same person who allegedly met with three contractors in the restaurant.”