THE LEVISTE–CALALO SHOW: A Legal Telenovela in Six Acts

By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo — September 8, 2025

HEADLINE:

“₱3.12M in Cash: Donation or Downpayment on the Filipino Dream?”

Because nothing says “community service” like stuffing millions of pesos in a bag and handing it off like a balikbayan box.

ACT I: OPENING SCENE – THE PARKING LOT PHILANTHROPY

Cue dramatic voiceover: “It was a humid Batangas afternoon when ₱3.12 million in cold cash exchanged hands—not in a bank, not in a church, but in a parking lot, the new hub of corporate social responsibility.”

Rep. Leandro Leviste, our rookie knight in shining barong, immediately called the cops. District Engineer Abelardo Calalo, our alleged villain, immediately called it a donation.

And so begins the courtroom farce.

ACT II: THE CROSS-EXAM (Satirical Transcript)

Fiscal: “Mr. Calalo, is it true you were caught with ₱3.12 million, neatly labeled as ‘3%’?”
Calalo: “Yes, your honor, but that was just… philanthropy.”
Judge (rolling eyes): “Philanthropy usually comes with a ribbon, not a receipt.”
Defense Counsel: “Objection! This was instigation!”
Fiscal: “So you’re saying the congressman forced you… to hand him millions of pesos?”
Judge: “Overruled. Proceed, counselor, before I start laughing.”

ACT III: THE LAW PROFESSOR INTERRUPTS

Now, let’s get pedantic:

Direct Bribery (RPC Art. 210): Public officer accepts gift in exchange for official action.
Indirect Bribery (RPC Art. 211): Public officer accepts gift because of office, quid pro quo optional.
RA 3019, Sec. 3(b): Public officer requests or receives any gift/percentage in connection with a government contract. (Merencillo v. People: corrupt intent not required.)
RA 6713: Public officials can’t accept gifts from anyone with business before their office. Period.

Translation:

“Donation defense” is like claiming your mistress was just “on-the-job training.”

ACT IV: THE POLITICAL SOAP OPERA

Leviste’s Angle: Freshman congressman with a superhero complex, backed by a senator mom. His “no to donations” stance looks noble—unless prosecutors start asking about Mommy Loren’s “take care of him” meetings.
Calalo’s Spin: Victim of “entrapment,” because apparently Leviste made him bring millions in cash. This would be funny if People v. Marcos (the SC case, not the family dynasty) didn’t actually recognize instigation as a valid defense.
Public Reaction: Half the country cheers Leviste for “exposing SOP culture.” The other half asks why these exposés only happen when contractors switch allegiances.

ACT V: THE PROCEDURAL MAZE

30 Days: COA starts sniffing through DPWH ledgers. DOJ opens preliminary investigation. Noche, the missing contractor, is probably perfecting his tan in Singapore.
90 Days: Ombudsman decides whether to file RA 3019 charges. Political operatives decide how to spin this into campaign ads.
180 Days: Sandiganbayan might arraign Calalo—or dismiss the case because the “donation” lacked notarization.

ACT VI: THE TABLOID HEADLINES

“Batangas Engineer Denies Bribery, Claims He’s Just the Robin Hood of Flood Control.”
“Leviste’s New Crusade: How to Say ‘No Thanks’ to Millions—And Still Look Like a Hero.”
“Donation or Extortion? DPWH Now Accepting Charitable Contributions in Cash Only.”