Leandro Leviste Sues Castro: Palace Official Faces Libel Complaint Over Solar Company Remarks
LEANDRO LEVISTE – Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste has filed a libel complaint against Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro after her remarks about his solar energy company sparked controversy.
Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste has filed a civil complaint for libel against Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro over her statements regarding a solar energy company he founded. The case was filed on Friday at the Balayan, Batangas Regional Trial Court.
Leviste labeled Castro’s alleged claims that he sold a company holding a government franchise as “libelous,” insisting that the company he sold did not have a franchise.
Photo Source: Abante Tonite
“Hindi ko po ibinenta ang prangkisa… Ang ibinenta kong kumpanya ay walang prangkisa,”
he told the media.
“Hindi ko naman po nais na masaktan si Usec. Claire Castro ngunit kailangan ko lang pong depensahan ang aking pangalan, dahil naka ilang vlog na po siya tungkol sa akin,”
Leviste added.
Leviste’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, claimed that Castro’s remarks were part of a “targeted attack” against the congressman, who has been outspoken in criticizing the government’s infrastructure budget.
“Ito ay hindi lamang exercise ng freedom of expression. This is a targeted attack against Cong. Leviste for being a critic of the government,”
Topacio said.
“Ito po ay under the civil code, na ang principle po nito ay kung ikaw ay may ginawang isang bagay na naka-injure ng isang tao, ng kapwa tao mo, you are liable to pay for damages. Hindi po nais ipakulong si Usec. Claire Castro, ngunit gusto namin siyang panagutin. Unang-una, sapagkat may ginawa siyang mali, sa aming opinyon, at pangalawa to vindicate ‘yung good name and reputation of my client na sinira po niya with malice,”
he added.
Photo Source: Daily Tribune
The dispute comes amid scrutiny of Solar Philippines. Earlier this week, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the firm failed to deliver the power it promised within the agreed timeline, leading the agency to cancel multiple contracts and impose a P24-billion penalty.
Leviste defended his company, stating on Wednesday that it “built” the “highest” renewable energy capacity in the country. While his remarks did not directly address Garin’s claim, he promised to respond through the proper channels.
“Iginagalang ko ang mga kawani ng gobyerno at tutugon ako sa kanilang mga pahayag sa tamang forum,”
he said.
“Ang kompanyang itinatag ko ay nakapagtayo ng pinakamalaking kapasidad ng renewable energy sa bansa at nakapagdala ng pinakamalaking foreign investment sa Pilipinas noong 2025. Kaunti ang namumuhunan sa ating bansa ngayon dahil sa pananaw na ginigipit ang mga negosyante,”
he added.
“Wala akong nakuhang kahit piso mula sa gobyerno. Ang aking pera ay nagmula sa pribadong negosyo,”
Leviste concluded.
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