Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has lodged a libel complaint against Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing her remarks about the solar energy company he founded and later divested from.
On Friday morning, January 16, Leviste, accompanied by his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, personally filed the case before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Balayan, Batangas.
Leviste is the founder of SP New Energy Corporation (SPNEC), whose controlling stake was acquired by power distributor Meralco for about ₱34 billion in 2024.
“Hindi ko po ibinenta ang prangkisa dahil wala akong kumpanyang may prankisa…Ang ibinenta kong kumpanya ay walang prangkisa,” the first-term lawmaker told reporters in a chance interview at the courthouse.
He explained that while he did not intend to cause harm to Castro, he felt compelled to protect his reputation.
“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 at ayon po sa advise ng aking lawyer…napakarami pong grounds,” he said.
The suit seeks ₱110 million in moral and exemplary damages, plus attorney’s fees, for the alleged harm caused by the statements.
Leviste also indicated he was considering further legal action in response to what he described as “fake news” and “libelous statements.”
In a separate statement later that day, Leviste clarified that the company he sold owned land in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, and emphasized that he did not receive any government funds.
He stressed that all his earnings came from private business ventures.