Palace urges Rep. Leviste to face case, post bail

SINGAPORE — Malacañang on Wednesday urged Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to face the case against him and post bail after a Makati court ordered his arrest for an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Leviste could present evidence and defend himself in court if he maintains that he did nothing wrong.

“Kung meron naman po sapat na ebidensya si Congressman Leviste, maaari niya naman po itong labanan at ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili,” Castro told reporters here.

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(If Congressman Leviste has sufficient evidence, he can contest the case and defend himself.)

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Castro pointed out that the charge against Leviste was bailable, although the lawmaker is currently abroad.

“Bailable ang kaso, so pinakamadali po diyan ay mag-bail siya, kaya lang nagkakataon po na sa ibang bansa siya,” she said.

READ: Makati RTC orders arrest of Leandro Leviste

(The case is bailable, so the easiest thing for him to do is post bail. However, he is abroad.)

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Castro said it would be better for Leviste to face the case, particularly since he has maintained his innocence and has spoken out against corruption.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 issued the warrant on Oct. 5 over Leviste’s alleged violation of Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the Public Service Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659.

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Bail was set at P72,000.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Department of Energy involving Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC), which Leviste founded.

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The complaint involves SPBC’s alleged failure to comply with conditions of its congressional franchise to provide electricity services through renewable energy and microgrid systems. /jpv