The halls of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), usually buzzing with the hum of bureaucracy and infrastructure planning, became the stage for a shocking and explosive confrontation that has sent ripples through the Philippine political landscape. A reported incident involving Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste and DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising serious questions about conduct, privilege, and the lengths to which officials will go in the name of “transparency.” What began as a routine inquiry allegedly descended into a chaotic scene marked by shouting, a physical struggle over documents, and a bizarre “peace offering” of pizza.

According to emerging reports and CCTV footage obtained from the DPWH Central Office, the incident occurred on the afternoon of September 4, 2025. Representative Leviste was seen entering the office of Usec. Cabral, purportedly to demand access to specific budget documents and the “Cabral Files”—a collection of papers related to the 2025 General Appropriations Act and district allocations. While Leviste has publicly framed his actions as a crusade for transparency to expose alleged irregularities, the accounts from DPWH staff paint a much darker picture of an aggressive takeover that bypassed standard protocols and civility.

Witnesses inside the office describe a tense atmosphere that quickly escalated. Staff members, speaking under anonymity for their safety, claimed that the congressman acted with a sense of entitlement, allegedly commandeering a computer to access and copy digital files personally. When Usec. Cabral arrived and attempted to intervene, asserting that the documents were internal drafts and not for immediate public release, the situation reportedly turned physical. Testimonies allege that a tug-of-war over the papers ensued, resulting in Usec. Cabral sustaining a deep paper cut that bled significantly, reportedly staining her clothes.

The most disturbing detail provided by witnesses was the congressman’s alleged reaction to the injury. Instead of pausing to assist the bleeding official or de-escalate the situation, reports claim Leviste continued to record the scene with his mobile phone, capturing images of the documents and even the injury itself, while continuing to berate the staff. “Why are you hiding this? These are public documents!” he reportedly shouted, dismissing the explanation that the papers were inter-office memorandums subject to change and not yet final official records. This perceived lack of empathy and aggressive pursuit of his objective has drawn sharp criticism from observers and commentators alike.

In a twist that has left many baffled, reports indicate that shortly after the heated altercation, Leviste’s camp sent six boxes of pizza to the DPWH office. Two boxes were allegedly left for the guards, two for Cabral’s staff, and one was even taken home by Leviste’s own team. Critics have latched onto this detail, calling it a “tone-deaf” attempt at damage control—a “pampalubag-loob” (consolation) that trivializes the severity of the confrontation. The juxtaposition of a physical altercation followed by a casual food delivery has fueled the narrative of a disconnect between the official’s actions and the gravity of the situation.

Representative Leviste has vehemently denied the allegations of physical aggression, maintaining that he did not snatch or steal any documents. In his defense, he asserted that his actions had the “blessing” or authorization of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. However, this claim was swiftly contradicted by Secretary Dizon himself, who denied granting Leviste permission to bypass office protocols or forcibly obtain files. This denial strikes a major blow to Leviste’s defense, stripping away the veneer of official sanction and leaving him exposed to potential ethics complaints and legal repercussions.

The fallout from the incident has reached the highest levels of government, with Malacañang Palace reportedly expressing concern. The Palace has called for a thorough investigation into how the files were acquired. Legal experts are now weighing in on the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine. If it is proven that the documents were obtained through illegal means—such as theft, coercion, or unauthorized access—they may lose their probative value and be inadmissible in any legal proceeding or legislative inquiry. This would mean that Leviste’s aggressive tactics might have ultimately rendered the very evidence he sought useless.

The controversy also highlights a broader issue regarding the behavior of public officials. The reported “hostage-like” feeling experienced by the DPWH staff, who felt powerless to stop a high-ranking legislator, speaks volumes about the power dynamics in government offices. The incident has sparked a debate on whether the pursuit of truth justifies the abandonment of due process and basic human decency. While the call for transparency in government funds is a valid and necessary advocacy, the methods employed in this instance have overshadowed the message, turning a transparency campaign into a spectacle of alleged abuse of authority.

As the story continues to unfold, the public awaits the filing of formal complaints. Will Usec. Cabral or the DPWH staff pursue legal action against the congressman? will the House of Representatives Ethics Committee launch a probe into the conduct of one of their own? For now, the image of a bleeding undersecretary and a stack of pizza boxes remains a stark symbol of a chaotic day at the DPWH—a day where the line between public service and public scandal was violently blurred.