Senator Loren Legarda’s spokesperson, Atty. Tony La Viña, addressed the media on Wednesday, September 23, firmly rejecting recent headlines and allegations surrounding the senator and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, amid investigations into Leviste’s solar energy ventures.
The controversy involves financial and regulatory questions about Leviste’s renewable energy projects, with critics suggesting government involvement and unpaid obligations. Representing Legarda, La Viña described the situation as “political persecution,” clarifying that no formal charges have been filed and emphasizing the senator’s lack of direct involvement in her son’s business activities.
La Viña, a seasoned lawyer and advocate, highlighted that no government funds were used for Leandro Leviste’s solar projects, which relied on private investment and bank loans. He stressed, “No government money was used for any of Leandro’s projects. This was money from investors, including his father and from banks.”
Addressing claims of massive financial obligations, La Viña clarified that Leviste’s companies do not owe the government ₱24 billion or even ₱10 billion. “DOE has never billed him for those amounts individually or in aggregate. They did bill him for ₱92 million, and that has been fully paid,” he said.
The spokesperson explained the Department of Energy (DOE) erroneously billed another entity, SPNEC, for ₱24 billion. SPNEC is now majority owned by a Meralco subsidiary, not Leviste, and La Viña believes the billing itself was unjustified.
Responding to allegations of “ghost electricity,” La Viña noted that the Solar ng Bayan franchise was revoked in 2021 due to lack of implementation guidance from the DOE, not because of any wrongdoing by Leviste or his companies.
He further argued that Leviste’s renewable energy service contracts did not constitute a monopoly, representing less than 10% of the total. While some exploratory contracts did not progress, others have made substantial contributions to the national grid.
La Viña pointed out that SPNEC, one of the country’s largest renewable energy projects under the current administration, was originally conceptualized by Leviste and is now operated as a joint venture with Meralco.
On the connection to Senator Legarda, La Viña made it clear: “No connection has been made between Leviste’s solar business and Senator Loren Legarda other than the fact that she is the mother of Leandro.” He emphasized the senator’s recusal from legislative deliberations and denied any allegations of impropriety.
La Viña expressed hope that the DOE would correct its errors and that the Ombudsman would dismiss the complaints. He warned that targeting innovators with unfounded accusations could discourage investment in the renewable energy sector, which is vital for the country’s future.