Edwin Gardiola
Edwin Gardiola | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for Construction Workers Solidarity | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tirso Edwin Loleng Gardiola September 24, 1955 Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, Philippines |
| Spouse | Judy Silva |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | National University (BS) |
| Occupation | Civil engineer, businessman, politician |
Tirso Edwin Loleng Gardiola (born September 24, 1955) is a Filipino civil engineer, transportation executive, and politician currently serving as the first nominee of the Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-List in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 2022.
Early life and education
[edit]Gardiola was born on September 24, 1959 in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the National University in Manila.[1]
Business career
[edit]Before entering politics, Gardiola served as chairman of two major Philippine transportation companies:
- JAM Liner – One of Luzon's largest provincial bus operators
- Philtranco – The country's oldest bus company, established in 1914
He also owned several construction and real estate firms, including JSG Construction (named after his wife, Judy Silva Gardiola) and Virkar Realty Corporation.[2]
In 2009, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that JSG Construction is owned by Gardiola and his wife Judy. Edwin's brother Elmer and his wife Elaine are owners of E. Gardiola Construction, while Elmer is also listed as an incorporator of JSG. The PCIJ reports that JSG and E. Gardiola Construction is among the top ten contractors working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2000 to 2008 under president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration.[3]
In a 2014 House of Representatives inquiry, Gardiola's firm JSG Construction was implicated in:
- ₱6 billion worth of unreported DPWH projects during the Arroyo administration
- Securing "Triple A" contracts despite only possessing a "B" license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB)[4]
Political career
[edit]House of Representatives (2022–present)
[edit]Elected under the Construction Workers Solidarity party-list in 2022, Gardiola has focused on labor rights legislation for construction workers. His committee assignments include:
- Committee on Public Works and Highways
- Committee on Transportation
He was named first nominee of CWS once again for the 2025 election. However in February 2025, a disqualification case was filed against CWS by Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan, when 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 to constitute as vote buying.[5][6]
Tax evasion cases
[edit]In 2012, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal complaints against Gardiola and his companies for:
- Purchasing undeclared luxury vehicles (including BMW, Lexus, and Jaguar models) between 2006–2009 despite declaring minimal income[7]
- Unpaid dues for the purchase of three Lexys vehicles in 2009 as a corporate officer of Woodheights.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Gardiola is married to physician Judy Silva Gardiola, after whom JSG Construction is named. They have two daughters, Kim Ann and Katrina Mara Gardiola, who have served as corporate officers in his companies.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Edwin Gardiola Profile". Rappler.
- ^ Diaz, Jess (March 4, 2014). "House looks into 'missing' P30-B infra fund". The Philippine Star.
- ^ Mangahas, Malou; Valderama, Tita C.; Ilagan, Karol (April 23, 2009). "Obscure firms fly high, bag huge DPWH deals". PCIJ. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023.
- ^ Diaz, Jess (March 4, 2014). "House looks into 'missing' P30-B infra fund". The Philippine Star.
- ^ Manabat, Johnson (February 26, 2025). "CWS party-list faces disqualification case for giving out brand-new cars". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ Abad, Michelle (February 25, 2025). "CWS Party-list accused of vote-buying with car giveaway". Rappler.
- ^ Lopez, Virgil (March 1, 2012). "Tax evasion case filed against purchaser of luxury cars". SunStar Bacolod.
- ^ Gonzales, Iris (March 16, 2012). "BIR files tax evasion charges worth P100M". The Philippine Star.
- ^ Gonzales, Iris (March 16, 2012). "BIR files tax evasion charges worth P100M". The Philippine Star.