BALAYAN, Batangas — Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste has filed a civil libel case seeking more than ₱111 million in damages against Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro, escalating a legal dispute that comes days after government regulators sanctioned one of his solar power companies.
Leviste, a first-term lawmaker representing Batangas’ first district, lodged the complaint on Friday before the Regional Trial Court in Balayan. He was accompanied by his new legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, according to court filings and statements made during a press briefing.
The civil suit stems from remarks Leviste says Castro made about his business dealings, which he claims were false and damaging to his reputation. In particular, Leviste accused the Palace spokesperson of alleging that he illegally sold the franchise of Solar Para Sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC), a company linked to his power sector interests.
SPBC was granted a congressional franchise in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11357 to build, install, and operate solar-powered microgrids in underserved and remote areas of the country.
Speaking to reporters after filing the case, Leviste said he opted to pursue civil remedies rather than criminal charges. “Technically I could have easily pressed criminal charges, but I don’t want her to face jail time,” he said.
He added that the lawsuit was intended to counter what he described as efforts to distract from calls for transparency. Leviste is seeking ₱100 million in moral damages, ₱10 million in exemplary damages, and ₱1 million in attorney’s fees, bringing the total claim to ₱111 million.
The legal action follows a separate controversy involving Leviste’s business interests. Earlier this week, the Department of Energy imposed a ₱24-billion penalty on Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI), the parent company of Leviste’s solar ventures, citing failure to deliver electricity promised under more than 30 government service contracts.
The Palace has yet to issue an official response to the libel complaint.
