A legal spokesperson for Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, has denounced the graft and plunder complaints filed against the duo as politically motivated “lawfare.”
Atty. Anthony La Viña confirmed that both lawmakers have submitted their counter-affidavits to the Office of the Ombudsman, where the allegations surrounding Leviste’s solar energy enterprises are undergoing preliminary investigation.
“After intensive review, I am convinced that she and her son have absolutely not done anything illegal and even improper with respect to the solar energy business of the latter. At worst, Leandro has been innovative and out-of-the-box as an entrepreneur. That should be rewarded not punished,” La Viña said in a statement.
“Second, this is classic lawfare, the weaponization of the law for political purposes, Sadly, this is not the first time it has happened. Previous administrations have done it as well to opposition politicians, government critics, journalists, Supreme Court Justices, and social and political activists. Such weaponization is a violation of a person’s basic human rights,” he added.
The complaints stem from allegations that Leviste’s firm, Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC), failed to execute promised microgrid energy projects under its ₱10-billion legislative franchise, purportedly causing significant losses to the government.
La Viña contended that public comments from the Ombudsman have prematurely suggested wrongdoing despite the ongoing preliminary phase.
He emphasized that Legarda holds no corporate stake, management role, or official position in SPBC or any affiliate under Solar Philippines.
“One may criticize the solar franchise and businesses of Leandro Leviste. One may question whether the business model succeeded. One may investigate whether the company or its officers complied with their obligations. But those are different questions from whether Senator Legarda herself or if Rep. Leviste committed wrongdoing,” La Viña noted.
“A congressional franchise is different from a renewable energy service contract. Both a service contract and a franchise are not given government funds,” he added.
Addressing attempts to implicate Legarda, La Viña stressed that familial ties do not equate to criminal culpability.
“Saying she’s connected to the business only because she’s the mother of a private businessman is pure invention. Being a parent and being a senator does not in any way prove she benefited, acted improperly, or committed a crime,” he said.
“Senator Legarda should not be shielded from scrutiny because Leviste is her son. But neither should motherhood become evidence against her.”
“If there is evidence that Senator Legarda improperly intervened with government officials, benefited from the franchise, or committed any unlawful act, then it should be examined on its merits,” La Viña said.
“But the record establishes important facts: the franchise was non-exclusive, it did not provide for government subsidy, its implementation depended in part on regulatory actions assigned to the DOE (Department of Energy), and Senator Legarda herself did not vote for its passage.”
La Viña rejected claims that the franchise had been sold, explaining that SPBC could not fully operate because the Department of Energy failed to release the required implementing rules or designate operational areas.
He further noted that political pressure intensified only after Leviste publicly called for anti-corruption probes in late 2025.
“The timing speaks for itself. What should have been recognized as a civic duty is instead being met with punitive scrutiny, creating the unmistakable appearance that his anti corruption advocacy is being answered not with accountability, but with retaliation,” he pointed out.
The defense issued the statement following remarks by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who indicated plans to coordinate with French authorities regarding Legarda’s stay in France.
Legarda, who originally went on medical leave on August 3, has extended her leave through September 16.