Legarda camp dismisses ₱10.44B plunder probe as ‘politically motivated’

The camp of Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st district Representative Leandro Leviste, denied on Monday the Ombudsman’s ₱10.44 billion plunder and graft charges, calling it a “waste of public resources” while asserting that no government funds went to Leviste’s solar power companies.

The Ombudsman ordered a preliminary investigation into Legarda, Leviste and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on July 31 over complaints that Leviste’s Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC) failed to deliver power under the 25-year legislative franchise it was awarded, despite committing to serve “remote, unviable, unserved and underserved areas,” per the franchise’s stated purpose.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said fact-finding investigators found that SPBC transferred service contracts to affiliated companies that had not begun operations, and that the terminated contracts left more than ₱10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government.

“All indicators point to the fact that they had no intention to fulfill contracts that they had garnered. The terminated contracts resulted in more than P10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government,” the office said.

The three respondents face charges for non-bailable plunder and multiple counts under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), including Sections 3(e), 3(h) and 3(i).

Spokesperson for Legarda Atty. Tony La Viña denounced the charges filed against the lawmakers as politically motivated.

“This is political. There are no criminal acts that are being alleged here,” La Viña said during an interview with ANC Headstart.

La Viña rejected claims that Leviste formed a renewable energy monopoly, noting his solar companies hold just 26 of 517 solar contracts (roughly 5%) and account for only 2% of the 1,290 contracts across the entire renewable energy sector.

“Dito walang government funds, walang government property, at walang monopoly,” La Viña said.  “You cannot call 5 percent of service contracts a monopoly even if you do not, which is not true.” he added

Both lawmakers have been on medical leave since August 3. The Ombudsman flagged Legarda’s extended medical leave and Leviste’s authorized overseas travel as suspicious during the ongoing probe. According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Legarda traveled to France and Leviste to Hong Kong shortly after the investigation was announced.

Both respondents have since submitted their counter-affidavits.

PDP-Laban spokesperson Atty. Ferdinand Topacio and other allies denounced the investigation as a politically motivated attack “to weaken the legitimate opposition.” 

The preliminary investigation is still ongoing, and no new charges have been filed yet.