Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste has initiated a major legal battle against a senior official from the Presidential Communications Office. The lawmaker filed a P110-million civil libel complaint against PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday, January 16, 2025.
The Core of the Legal Complaint
The complaint, lodged at the Regional Trial Court in Balayan, Batangas, centers on statements made by Castro concerning Leviste's renewable energy ventures. Leviste, accompanied by his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, alleges that Castro's repeated online comments and vlog posts contained what he describes as "libelous statements" that have significantly damaged his reputation.
The controversy specifically involves comments about the sale of the franchise of Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC). In a press conference, the rookie lawmaker strongly denied the core allegation. "I did not sell a franchise because I did not have any company with a franchise that I sold," Leviste stated.
Clarifications and Counterarguments
Leviste clarified the nature of the business transaction in question. He explained that the company he sold was SP New Energy Corp., which is now a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp. This company held a renewable energy service contract for a substantial 280-megawatt solar project in Nueva Ecija.
"The company I sold had no franchise, and I do not intend to hurt Sec. Claire Castro, but I only need to defend my name," he added, framing the lawsuit as an act of personal defense rather than an attack.
The Defense from the Palace Official
In response, Claire Castro, who is also a lawyer, characterized the complaint as an attempt to silence her commentary on matters of public interest. She argued that the legal move raises questions about who might benefit from curbing her voice and challenged the assertion that her statements were made with malice.
Although she confirmed she had not yet received the formal complaint at the time of her statement, Castro defended the basis of her comments. She contended that if her information was sourced from official channels, including statements that implicated issues tied to regulatory and oversight bodies, then it should not be categorized as libelous.
The case sets the stage for a high-profile legal clash between a member of the House of Representatives and a key official from the executive branch's communications arm, with significant implications for public discourse and the renewable energy sector in the Philippines.
