No gov't funds involved: Lawyer denies P24-billion allegations vs. Senator Legarda, Rep. Leviste

Lawyer Tony La Viña, spokesperson for Sen. Loren Legarda, strongly rejected allegations that her son, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste, owes the government ₱10 billion to ₱24 billion over his solar energy ventures.

Speaking at Friday’s Pandesal Forum, La Viña emphasized that no public funds were involved, disputing allegations of plunder and graft currently under preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“There is no plunder here. There’s no government money that was stolen or lost here. Both Congressman Leviste and Senator Legarda have no money that was stolen or borrowed from the government—as in zero,” La Viña said.

The investigation—which also names former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi—stems from allegations raised by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. Remulla alleged that companies owned by Leviste secured multiple solar energy service contracts but failed to deliver the committed power output.

Addressing claims of "ghost electricity," La Viña clarified that several of Leviste’s projects successfully delivered power to the grid.

He urged against evaluating the ventures as a single entity, noting that while some projects progressed to generation, others remained at the pre-development stage.

La Viña explained that delays in pre-development are common industry challenges and do not constitute criminal liability.

Such delays, he noted, often stem from grid connection issues, land availability, renewable resource constraints, and consultations with local farmers or indigenous communities.

He further questioned the figures being linked to Leviste, stating that the lawmaker had already settled financial obligations for inactive projects.

Additionally, La Viña pointed out that several obligations being attributed to Leviste involve companies he no longer controls.

La Viña also dismissed allegations that Leviste held a monopoly over solar energy contracts, defending the franchise granted to Solar Para sa Bayan (SPB).

He noted that the franchise was legally approved by both chambers of Congress and was non-exclusive.

The franchise was never implemented because the Department of Energy did not issue the required implementing rules and regulations or designate operational areas, leading to its eventual expiration under the law.

La Viña also rejected claims that Sen. Legarda used her position to help her son secure government projects, calling the complaint's premise "absurd."

“Lawmakers seeking projects normally coordinate with House leadership or committee chairs,” La Viña said, adding that Legarda holds no corporate role in Leviste’s ventures and should not be implicated simply due to family ties.

-Paraluman News