Senator Loren Legarda, son facing ‘political persecution,’ says lawyer

Politics—not evidence—is driving the legal action against Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste, according to defense counsel and spokesperson Tony La Viña.

Following a thorough review of the allegations, La Viña asserted that neither lawmaker committed any illegal or improper act, describing Leviste's solar energy ventures as legitimate private business activities and legitimate entrepreneurial risk-taking.

"After intensive review, I am convinced that she and her son have absolutely not done anything illegal or even improper with respect to the solar energy business of the latter," La Viña said. "At worst, Leandro has been innovative and out-of-the-box as an entrepreneur. That should be rewarded, not punished."

La Viña stressed that the matter remains at the preliminary investigation stage and no formal charges have been filed. However, he criticized the Office of the Ombudsman for public pronouncements that he said convey an "unmistakable impression that liability has already been assumed."

Addressing attempts to tie the senator to her son's businesses, La Viña clarified that Legarda holds no ownership, managerial role, or financial interest in Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC) or any Solar Philippines entity.

"Saying she's connected to the business only because she's the mother of a private businessman is pure invention," La Viña said. "Responsibility is personal. Senator Legarda should not be shielded from scrutiny because Leviste is her son. But neither should motherhood become evidence against her."

Regarding the SPBC franchise, La Viña noted that it was non-exclusive, involved no government subsidies, and that Legarda did not vote on its passage. He added that the franchise was never sold and could not be fully implemented because the Department of Energy failed to issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations. He also cautioned critics against conflating distinct corporate entities and government permits.

Defending Leviste's business record, La Viña argued that policy gaps or unimplemented commercial ideas do not constitute criminal behavior. He maintained that Leviste's ventures increased the nation's solar capacity without putting the government or the public at a disadvantage.

According to La Viña, the sudden surge in scrutiny against the mother and son is political retaliation. He noted that the investigations intensified immediately after Leviste publicly exposed government corruption in late 2025 and called for sweeping inquiries.

"The timing speaks for itself," La Viña said, describing the actions as "classic lawfare—the weaponization of the law for political purposes."

Calling the situation a clear case of political persecution similar to tactics used against opposition figures in past administrations, La Viña called for an immediate end to the proceedings.

-Paraluman News