The camp of Sen. Loren Legarda on Tuesday rejected plunder and graft allegations against her and her son, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, as "baseless" and "ridiculous," saying documentary and financial records directly contradict accusations at the center of an Office of the Ombudsman investigation into Leviste's solar energy ventures.
Speaking to digital media, spokesperson Atty. Antonio "Tony" La Viña challenged the Department of Energy (DOE) to review its own records and correct what he described as fundamental errors behind the complaint — and questioned why Legarda was included in the case at all.
No Public Funds Were Taken, La Viña Says
"First of all, no money from the government was taken and pocketed by Senator Loren or Representative Leandro. There is no plunder. No government funds were taken in any of the projects. That should be very clear to us," La Viña said in Filipino.
La Viña said the renewable energy projects under scrutiny were privately funded. He argued that a project failing to proceed does not, by itself, constitute plunder or graft, noting that renewable energy service contracts cover exploration and pre-development work and that investors carry the financial risk when a project does not push through.
DOE Demand Letter Addressed to Meralco-Controlled Firm, Not Leviste
On the multibillion-peso obligations publicly attributed to Leviste, La Viña said the amounts involved different corporate entities, and that obligations legitimately assessed against Leviste's companies had already been fully settled.
He pointed to a DOE demand letter addressed to Emmanuel Rubio of SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), which he said has been majority-owned and controlled by Meralco's power generation arm, MGen, since 2024. La Viña urged the DOE to distinguish SPNEC from Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. and other Solar Philippines companies.
"The receipts clearly show that their letter asking for 24 billion to be paid, which they later revised to 10 billion, was addressed to Mr. Emmanuel Rubio, not to Leandro Leviste and not to his companies," La Viña said in Filipino.
Solar Para sa Bayan Franchise Lapsed Under Law, Spokesperson Says
La Viña said the Solar Para sa Bayan franchise was non-exclusive and had ceased to exist under the law's automatic revocation provision after it failed to become operational. He blamed the government for the non-implementation, saying the DOE never issued implementing rules for the franchise and never identified areas where it could operate.
La Viña also rejected claims that Leviste monopolized solar service contracts, noting that the 42 contracts awarded to Leviste represented only a portion of 518 solar service contracts issued nationwide.
Legarda's Inclusion in Case Questioned
La Viña said Legarda took no part in managing her son's companies and did not use her office to advance their business interests. He said her familial relationship with Leviste does not establish her participation in the companies' transactions or obligations.
"There's nothing in the charges of the Ombudsman that includes Senator Loren Legarda. So why was she included?" he said, calling the proceedings unfair and challenging authorities to present evidence of her personal participation in any alleged wrongdoing.
La Viña also said both Legarda and Leviste filed their counter-affidavits within the prescribed period, disputing reports that their submissions were late. "For those who don't believe or are skeptical, I just ask for an open mind. Ask for receipts. We have receipts," he said.
Ombudsman Opens Preliminary Investigation in July
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on July 31 that his office had opened a preliminary investigation into Legarda and Leviste for plunder and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The complaint alleges the two abused legislative and regulatory powers to secure solar energy contracts, with reports placing the value of incomplete solar projects at P10.44 billion.
Remulla has said Legarda may have used her influence as chair of the Senate finance committee to help her son secure the franchise. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano has maintained that the office's decisions are based strictly on evidence.
In a statement on August 18, Legarda said she had committed "absolutely no wrongdoing" and urged the public to be discerning about what she called the timing and nature of the allegations.
Arrest Warrant Issued Against Leviste in Separate Case
Legarda and Leviste left for France on August 2, days after the investigation was announced. Legarda has been on medical leave since then, with her most recently reported extension running until October 9. La Viña has said she is receiving treatment for a lung condition, with Leviste acting as her caregiver, and has not ruled out her return to the Senate by November.
On October 5, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 issued a warrant of arrest against Leviste for alleged violation of the Public Service Act, with bail set at P72,000. That case is separate from the Ombudsman probe. In May, the DOE had filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against Leviste and officials of Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. over alleged Public Service Act violations.
By the Numbers
- P10.44 billion — reported value of incomplete solar projects at the center of the Ombudsman complaint
- P24 billion — original DOE demand figure cited in the demand letter, later revised to P10 billion
- P10 billion — revised DOE demand amount, addressed to SPNEC's Emmanuel Rubio
- 42 — solar service contracts awarded to Leviste's companies, out of 518 nationwide
- 518 — total solar service contracts issued across the Philippines
- P72,000 — bail set by Makati RTC Branch 235 in the Public Service Act case against Leviste
- July 31 — date Ombudsman Remulla announced the preliminary investigation
- October 5 — date the Makati court issued the arrest warrant against Leviste
Why This Matters
The Ombudsman's preliminary investigation into a sitting senator and a sitting congressman over allegations tied to billions of pesos in solar energy contracts marks one of the more significant graft probes involving elected officials in the current legislative period. The case raises questions about the oversight of renewable energy service contracts and the DOE's record-keeping in distinguishing between related but separate corporate entities. A separate court-issued arrest warrant against Leviste adds further legal pressure on the Leviste family even as both principals remain abroad.
Photo credit: Photo from Rappler/file