A brewing storm has erupted inside the House of Representatives — and it’s getting louder by the day.
Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste is calling for House public accounts panel chair Terry Ridon to step aside from an investigation into alleged insertions in the 2025 national budget. The reason? The probe itself now touches Ridon’s own party-list.
In a resolution filed electronically on Tuesday, December 23, Leviste urged the House committee on public accounts — along with other relevant panels — to look into DPWH projects allegedly linked to companies owned or controlled by Steve and Gigi C. Ibasco. These include Bicol Goldrock Construction Corp. and GCI Construction and Development Corp.
According to Leviste, records show the companies were awarded contracts worth over ₱42.3 billion in the Bicol Region, and ₱4.68 billion in Batangas’ First District.
He also pointed to files from the late DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral, which allegedly identified Bicol Saro party-list — Ridon’s party — as the proponent of two road projects worth ₱75 million each.
This, Leviste said, raises serious questions.
“The House has the power and duty to investigate in aid of legislation,” he stressed, saying the goal is simple but crucial — transparency, accountability, and integrity in public spending.
Because Bicol Saro is now part of the controversy, Leviste said Ridon should recuse himself from the probe.
“To preserve public confidence and avoid any appearance of conflict of interest,” Leviste urged Ridon to voluntarily step aside so the investigation can move forward without doubt or suspicion.
But Ridon did not stay silent.
Calling the accusation a “grave” and “false” claim, Ridon fired back, saying Leviste must first retract his statement that Ridon personally made budget insertions.
According to Ridon, that allegation simply does not add up.
The 2025 budget was drafted in 2024, he explained — at a time when he was not yet a member of Congress.
“This is the original sin of Congressman Leviste,” Ridon said during a Zoom press conference. “He accused me of making insertions. That accusation is false, and he must be accountable for it.”
Ridon insisted that before any deeper discussion happens, Leviste must answer for what he said.
“He accused me of inserting ₱150 million into the 2025 budget. He cannot just make up stories,” Ridon said. “This goes directly to his credibility.”
If Leviste can casually accuse someone without proof, Ridon asked, how can the public trust his future claims?
The clash didn’t end there.
Ridon also challenged Leviste to release the alleged Cabral list — a document that supposedly names the proponents of budget insertions.
Leviste has previously said the list is explosive, containing the names of lawmakers, senators, private individuals, and executive officials. Yet, Ridon noted, it has never been made public.
“If you are a truth seeker, you should have no qualms in releasing it,” Ridon said. “If that list can change the game in the flood control controversy, then release it now.”
Until that happens, Ridon argued, accusations will remain just that — accusations.
What started as a budget probe has now turned into a high-stakes credibility battle, with both sides digging in and the public watching closely.
And as the pressure mounts, one question hangs heavy in the air:
Who will blink first — and where does the truth really lie?
