Metro Manila, Philippines – Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste has filed a ₱110-million cyber libel complaint against a Palace official, accusing her of damaging statements related to questions over the franchise status of his solar energy business.
Leviste filed the complaint Friday, Jan. 16, with the Balayan regional trial court, accompanied by his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio. The case stemmed from remarks by Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro that he sold companies with congressional franchises without prior approval.
“Kailangan ko proteksyunan ang aking pangalan [I need to protect my name],” Leviste said. He denied selling any franchise, saying his company does not hold one in the first place, and that the case was filed to defend his reputation.
He added that he is not an opponent of the Marcos administration.
Topacio said freedom of expression is protected but not absolute. “There are limits, and accountability applies when statements cause harm,” he said.
In a statement, Castro said she has not yet received a copy of the complaint and is responding based solely on Leviste’s public interviews.
Castro said Leviste himself cited the Office of the Ombudsman as the source of information on the alleged sale.
“Inamin ni Cong. Leviste sa isang interview na ang source ng di umano’y pagbebenta ng company na may franchise ay galing kay Ombudsman Remulla,” she said.
[Translation: Congressman Leviste admitted in an interview that the source of the alleged sale of a company with a franchise came from Ombudsman Remulla.]
She questioned why she was sued but the ombudsman was not.
“Kakasuhan ba niya ako dahil sa hindi ako kaibigan ng nanay niya at hindi niya ako ginagalang?” Castro said.
[Translation: Is he filing a case against me because I am not his mother’s friend and he does not respect me?]
Castro said Leviste publicly acknowledged he is no longer the owner of Solar Para sa Bayan after divesting his shares.
“He, himself, is the source,” she said, referring to his statements.
She said the filing of the case appears to have an ulterior motive.
“Ang pagsasampa ng kasong ito ang tunay na paraan para ako ay matigil sa aking pagsasalita at pagtalakay sa mga issue,” Castro said.
[Translation: Filing this case is the real way to stop me from speaking and discussing the issues.]
Castro urged Leviste to focus instead on ongoing regulatory matters.
The libel case comes as the Department of Energy seeks to impose a ₱24-billion fine on Solar Philippines and terminate more than 30 contracts, while the Ombudsman continues its investigation into a possible franchise violation.
