There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.
— Mahatma Gandhi
Batangas First District congressman Leandro Antonio “Lean” Legarda Leviste revealed that Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list representative Tirso Edwin Loleng Gardiola is one of the biggest contractors in the country who allegedly “pre-ordered” infrastructure projects worth ₱22 billion before the budget was approved.
According to the son of former broadcaster and incumbent lady senator Lorna Regina “Loren” Bautista Legarda, companies connected to Rep. Gardiola often win bids because of their close ties with ad interim executive secretary Ralph Gonzalez Recto.
However, ES Recto denied the allegations, saying that they are baseless and fabricated. He called Leviste’s rhetoric against him a “psychotic sideshow” aimed only at ruining his reputation.
Recto even revealed that the young Leviste himself allegedly offered him ₱1 billion for Recto’s wife, then Batangas governor Vilma Santos, to resign from running for governor in 2025, which the former senator also rejected.
Recto insists that Gardiola is his former political opponent and is now just a “colleague” in Congress. Still, he asserts that the sectoral representative is “clean” and that there are no anomalies or irregularities in the projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that he facilitated or had involvement with.
To strengthen her husband’s statements, Gov. Vilma contended that under her leadership, “corruption has no room” in Batangas, ensuring that every peso from public funds goes to the right projects.
Yet, after several months of investigations, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), formed by our dear President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., issued a recommendation for the filing of criminal and administrative cases against Gardiola, one of eight lawmakers described as “cong-tractors” or official owners of construction firms that often cornered big government contracts.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Gardiola focused on labor rights legislation for construction workers. His committee assignments include those on public works and highways and transportation as well.
In 2025, he was named first nominee of CWS once again. However, in February, a disqualification case was filed against CWS by Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan after Gardiola attended a giveaway event at the Barako Fest in Lipa. The three sedan cars given as prizes were allegedly sponsored by Gardiola, an act which the complainant believes constitutes vote-buying.
Since becoming a Congress representative, two construction firms owned by Gardiola’s relatives — Newington Builders Incorporated and S-Ang Construction — were awarded ₱16 billion in flood control, road, and other infrastructure development projects from 2023 to 2025.
Also linked to Gardiola are Lourel Development Corporation and S-General Construction and Trading.
In 2012, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal complaints against Gardiola and his companies for purchasing undeclared luxury vehicles (a BMW, Lexus, and Jaguar sports car) between 2006 and 2009 despite declaring minimal income. Likewise, he reportedly has unpaid dues for the purchase of three Lexus vehicles in 2009 as a corporate officer of Woodheights.
Gardiola also owns a ₱870 million mansion in Newport Coast, California. According to sources, this palatial home is located at 56 Shoreridge, Newport Coast, CA 92657 and is currently estimated at US$13,206,804, approximately US$1,467 per square foot.
Fortune certainly favors the well-connected, as in the case of our “honorable” sectoral representative of CWS. While so many of our countrymen struggle to survive the stranglehold of poverty, some people like Congressman Edwin Gardiola simply cruise through difficulties without a care in the world — proud of their winning ways!
FOR your comments or suggestions, complaints or requests, just send a message through my email at cipcab2006@yahoo.com or text me at cellphone numbers 09171656792 or 09171592256 during office hours from Monday to Friday.
Thank you and mabuhay!
