MANILA, Philippines — Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has urged his supporters not to be troubled after a Makati Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for his arrest regarding an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.
“Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta. Huwag niyo akong alalahanin, maliit na bagay lang ito kumpara sa ibang nangyayari,” Leviste stated, reassuring the public.
He added: “Kayo ang inaalala ko.”
The court set bail at ₱72,000 for the charge, which involves Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659. The case originated from a Department of Justice complaint submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) in May, which targeted Leviste and five executives of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC).
According to the DOE, SPBC failed to meet its obligations under Republic Act No. 11357—its 2019 legislative franchise—which mandated the construction and delivery of electricity to unserved, underserved, and remote locations.
Addressing the situation, spokesperson Atty. Antonio “Tony” La Viña clarified that Leviste is currently in France assisting his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who is on medical leave.
La Viña defended the lawmaker and SPBC, dismissing the allegations as unfounded.
“There is no crime committed here by Leandro Leviste nor his company Solar ng Bayan which was granted a franchise by Congress in 2019,” La Viña said on social media.
He further contended that SPBC does not qualify as a public utility under the law and explained that the franchise was automatically revoked—or ipso facto revoked—since the DOE never released the required implementation guidelines or designated project sites.
La Viña characterized the DOE’s action as “a complaint looking for a crime.”