MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday called on Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste to return to the Philippines and address the legal allegations pending against him after a court issued a warrant for his arrest.
The arrest warrant stems from a complaint submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding alleged non-compliance with the Public Service Act involving Leviste and other executives of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPSB).
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that if Leviste maintains his innocence, the proper course of action is to respond to the allegations directly through the judicial system.
“Sinasabi naman niya na siya ay walang pagkakasala, so mas maganda po na talagang harapin ni Congressman Leviste at marami rin naman ang naniniwala sa kanya, na siya din ay lumalaban sa isyu ng korapsyon,” Castro said.
She added that returning home to confront the charges would serve as a testament to his leadership.
“So dito niya mapatutunayan na isa siyang magiting na lider kapagka hinarap niya ‘to mismo,” she added.
Reports indicate that Leviste is currently out of the country in France alongside his mother, Senator Loren Legarda.