Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste, are facing plunder and graft complaints over the younger lawmaker’s solar energy projects, Ombudsman Boying Remulla said on Friday, July 31.
In a press briefing, Remulla said the complaints will undergo preliminary investigation, a step before prosecutors decide whether or not there is substantial evidence to file the case in court.
The agency said Legarda, Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi conspired to secure government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions.
“Ginamit niya ang kanyang posisyon para makakuha ng prangkisa ang anak niya,” said Remulla, accusing Legarda of abusing her role as chairperson of the Senate finance committee, a position she held from 2015 to 2019.
[Translation: She used her position to secure her son’s franchise.]
The ombudsman said a number of contracts were awarded to corporations within the so-called Leviste Solar Energy Network, but the projects were not supposedly developed.
“The investigation also found that some service contracts were transferred to affiliated corporations that allegedly existed only on paper and had not commenced operations. All indicators point to the fact that they had no intention to fulfill contracts that they had garnered,” the office said, adding that terminated contracts resulted in over ₱10.44 billion in obligations to the government.
The ombudsman said the alleged failure to develop the contracted renewable energy projects deprived the country of additional power generation capacity, supposedly contributing to higher power costs.
“Mabigat na kaso kasi yung kanilang paghawak ng eksklusibo sa solar nagdulot ng damage sa ating republika,” said Remulla.
[Translation: It’s a strong case because their exclusive rights to solar projects caused damage to the country.]
‘Baseless’ allegations
In a statement, Legarda dismissed the allegations, saying these were baseless.
The senator said no public funds were involved in the projects.
“This allegation is a taint on my person that is totally undeserved,” she said.
Legarda said she is confident she will be vindicated once the facts are laid bare.
