Metro Manila, Philippines – Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she is seeking ₱500 million in damages from Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, escalating a legal dispute between the two over alleged defamatory statements.
Castro confirmed in a press briefing that the amount forms part of her compulsory counterclaim in response to a cyber libel case filed by Leviste.
“₱500 million damages, it is part of my compulsory counterclaim… because of twisting some facts in the complaint, and it ruined my integrity as Palace press officer,” Castro said.
“I believe that I deserved and I am entitled to such damages,” she added.
A lawyer by profession, Castro said the case stemmed from statements she described as misleading, which she said caused damage to her reputation and credibility as a government official.
The palace official also pointed to remarks attributed to Leviste about the impact of the case on her well-being, saying these could be used as part of her legal arguments.
“Good, very good, he admitted that he is causing me sleepless nights and anxiety. So, that will be part of the case,” Castro said.
Leviste, however, disputed this, saying the phrase cited by Castro referred to her own allegation and not an admission on his part.
“The ‘sleepless nights and anxiety’ in quotation marks… is not me admitting that I caused this… it was alleged by her that I caused this,” Leviste said in a message to reporters.
He also challenged Castro to present proof of her claims. “Mabuti kung maglabas ng medical certificate ang doktor ni Usec. Claire Castro na talagang dumaranas siya ng ‘sleepless nights and anxiety’, para malaman kung anong paggamot ang sasagutin natin para sa kanya,” he said.
[Translation: It would be better if Usec. Claire Castro presents a medical certificate from her doctor proving she is indeed experiencing ‘sleepless nights and anxiety,’ so we know what treatment we would supposedly shoulder for her.]
Leviste said the public has an interest in scrutinizing government officials, citing the Presidential Communications Office’s proposed budget and leadership issues.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in a public dispute between the two officials, now moving into the courts, where both sides are expected to present their claims and evidence.
