In defense of integrity: Pleyto as a dedicated public servant
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has long stood at the crossroads of progress and scandal—a vital agency burdened by a reputation tarnished anew when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. exposed serious anomalies in flood control projects. What should have been shields against disaster have instead become symbols of corruption—marred by substandard constructions, dubious contracts, and even ghost projects that exist only on paper.
Amid the fallout, Curlee and Sarah Discaya, alleged masterminds behind the irregularities, have implicated Bulacan 6th District Representative Salvador A. Pleyto. They claimed he received “remittances” from them as early as 2019—a period when he was not even a congressman. The accusation, however, appears flimsy and ill-timed.
Rep. Pleyto has firmly denied the charge, calling it blatantly false and malicious. Yet the timing of the accusation raises deeper questions: Why now, months after the President’s exposé? And what prompted the Discayas to single him out? Were rival politicians behind the accusation?
The DPWH has long been both the backbone and the burden of Philippine governance—tasked with building the nation’s infrastructure while struggling under the weight of corruption. Yet among those who have served in this embattled agency, many have upheld public trust. Rep. Pleyto stands among them.
I have been covering the DPWH since 1986 for various newspapers and have personally known many of its officials, including Rep. Pleyto, who—before entering politics—served in the department with distinction. Rising from district engineer to undersecretary before retiring in 2007, his tenure was marked by integrity, competence, and foresight. He championed projects that genuinely served the people—roads that connected villages, bridges that opened trade, and infrastructure that uplifted lives.
As a lawmaker, he has carried the same dedication to good governance. His legislative priorities reflect a commitment to his constituents and to the broader goal of national development. Guided by his belief that the family is the foundation of society, he ensures that every home, livelihood, and community in his district is strengthened by honest and compassionate leadership.
In a political landscape often marred by self-interest, intrigue, and disinformation, it is easy to tarnish a good name. But character is measured not by accusations, but by one’s record. Rep. Pleyto stands out as a public servant defined by honesty, diligence, and a genuine desire to serve.
As the DPWH faces yet another reckoning, it is worth remembering that integrity still exists in government. There remain leaders who build—not only roads and bridges—but trust, hope, and faith in public service. And in Bulacan’s 6th District, Filipinos are fortunate to have one such leader in Congressman Salvador A. Pleyto.
Ayala Land
Nag-email sa akin ang Ayala Land, ang developer ng eco-city Nuvali, na humihingi ng karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa sinasabi nilang Case No. 90119. Hindi ko mabuksan ang naturang email kaya wala akong alam tungkol sa naturang case number.
Ang email ay maaaring may kaugnayan sa isinulat ko kamakailan lang tungkol sa isang arkitekto ng Ayala Group of Companies na inirereklamo sa akin ng isang Filipino businessman na umiiwas matapos pakinabangan ang $80,000.00 (₱4,428,000.00) na investment daw niya noong April 2022. Nangako raw ang arkitekto (hindi ko babanggitin ang pangalan para sa Data Privacy Act) na may 1% monthly interest ang naturang investment ng Filipino businessman na naninirahan na sa United States kasama ang kanyang pamilya.
Nagpapatulong sa akin ang Filipino businessman kasi iniiwasan na raw siya ng naturang arkitekto mula noong tinangka niyang bawiin ang kanyang investment para bayaran ang kanyang mga obligasyon dito sa Pilipinas at ipagpatuloy ang kanyang trucking business doon sa US. Pero sinabi raw ng arkitekto na ang kanyang investment ay kasama na sa pagbili ng mga sasakyan nitong Ayala Group of Companies para sa proyekto ng Ayala Land na eco-city Nuvali.
Ipinaliwanag ng Filipino businessman na agad siyang nagtiwala sa arkitekto dahil sa bukod sa koneksyon niya sa Ayala Group of Companies ay ang kanilang mga misis ay high school classmates.
Hindi man ako abogado ay naniniwala akong napakalakas ng kasong syndicated estafa na isasampa ng Filipino businessman at kanyang misis laban sa sindikato sa likod nitong investment scheme!
Lagot kayo!!!
Salamat sa Pamilya
Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa aking mga kapatid na nakiisa at nagpasaya sa aking pagdiriwang ng aking ika-70 taon dito sa mundo.
Salamat sa aking Ate Marilyn Rosario-Tugado, retired Manila Bulletin House of Representative reporter Ben R. Rosario, Supreme Court Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, retired Bureau of Internal Revenue employee Babette Rosario-Reyes, Renato R. Rosario, Maritess R. Katindoy, Mita R. Caranto, Edgardo R. Rosario, Rossano R. Rosario, Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Judge Bernard R. Rosario at City of Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Cristina R. Osoteo.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!
Para sa komentaryo: dodorosario@yahoo.com