Leviste a 'brave leader' if he faces charges -- Palace

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Malacañang on Wednesday said that if Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste goes home and faces the charges filed against him, then he would be a "brave leader."

A Makati court has issued an arrest warrant against Leviste for alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

"Siguro mas maganda po talaga kay Congressman Leviste, at sinasabi naman niya na siya ay walang pagkakasala, so mas maganda po na talagang harapin ni Congressman Leviste at marami din naman ang naniniwala sa kanya na siya din ay lumalaban sa isyu ng korapsyon. So dito niya mapapatunayan na isa siyang magiting na leader kapag hinanap niya ito mismo," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Singapore.

(Perhaps it is better for Congressman Leviste, and he is saying that he did not commit a crime, it is better for Congressman Leviste to face it, as there are many who believe that he is fighting corruption. So this is where he will prove that he is a brave leader if he faces it himself.)

Castro advised Leviste that if he has evidence to prove that he has no wrongdoing, he should be able to defend himself.

The Malacañang official also advised Leviste that posting bail would be the easier route for him, however, he was still outside of the country.

Documents obtained by GMA News show that the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 235 issued the arrest warrant against Leviste on October 5. Bail was set at P72,000.

In a statement on social media, Leviste asked his supporters not to worry about him. He added that he was actually worried about his supporters, but did not elaborate.

Leviste is said to be in France together with his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who is on medical leave from the Senate.

In May, the Department of Energy filed a complaint against Leviste and other officials of the Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation for allegedly violating the Public Service Act. The agency said the company was unable to provide electricity to customers in remote areas, as was mandated by its 2018 congressional franchise.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged P10.77 billion in uncollected financial obligations tied to 37 terminated solar energy contracts, reporting that firms under the Leviste-led Solar Philippines umbrella accounted for 96% of the total defaults.

Lawyer Tony La Viña, spokesperson for Leviste and Legarda, earlier said the Batangas congressman's companies did not have a monopoly, having only 5% of the total solar and 2% of the renewable energy contracts.

Leviste is also tagged in other controversies, including an alleged honeypot trap to ensnare Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. He has likewise denied any involvement in the alleged scheme. — VDV, GMA News