House panel to investigate alleged sale of shares in Leviste firm if resolution filed

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises will investigate the alleged sale of shares in Batangas 1st District Rep Leandro Leviste's solar power business without congressional approval if a resolution is filed, Bataan 1st District Rep. Antonino Roman III said on Monday.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said over the weekend that there was an investigation into the alleged transfer and sale of Leviste’s solar energy franchise, which he claimed lacked congressional approval.

Leviste, meanwhile, said in a social media post that he would address the allegations when Congress resumes session on January 26.

"I don't know that any resolution was filed. I think it's a ministerial function of members of the committee to actually investigate any matter that's referred to the committee. So if there's a resolution that was filed, then it behooves me to actually investigate it as a member of the committee," Roman told reporters.

'No conflict'

Roman said the Ombudsman's investigation does not prevent the House of Representatives from also conducting an investigation.

"I don't think there's any conflict in the same way that we have seen in the case of alleged corruption, that we have the Ombudsman and we also have the courts but it hasn't barred Congress, the Senate, and the Lower House from investigating," Roman said.

"So I don't think there's any conflict... It's a part of oversight," he added.

In case a violation of the franchise was committed, Roman said, "It is a ground to revoke it."

When asked if the timing of the investigation was politically motivated, Roman said, "I would rather not speculate on the timing. At the end of the day, motive is actually secondary."

"The question is really was there a violation or not. And this is for anything, for any investigation. It is often said, 'Oh, it's politically motivated," Roman said.

"But the bigger question, is it true or not, di ba? Regardless of the motivation. The fact that it's politically motivated doesn't mean, doesn't make it less meritorious. It doesn't follow." 

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) said on Sunday that it did not buy shares from Leviste’s solar firm, Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC).

SPNEC

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on 24 Oras Weekend, MGEN clarified that it invested in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), which was also founded by Leviste but is a separate entity from SPBC.

SPBC was the company granted a 25-year congressional franchise.

“Magkaibang kumpanya po ito. Ang MGEN po ay hindi kumuha or nagmamay-ari ng anumang karapatan, pribilehiyo o interes na may kaugnayan sa prangkisa ng Solar Para sa Bayan," said MGEN head for Sustainability, Communications, and External Affairs Christer Gaudiano.

"Bukod dito, ang mga negosyo at operasyon ng SPNEC ay hindi nakasalalay sa nasabing prangkisa,” Gaudiano added.

(These are different companies. MGEN did not acquire and does not own any rights, privileges, or interests related to the Solar Para sa Bayan franchise. Furthermore, the business and operations of SPNEC are not dependent on the said franchise.) —NB, GMA Integrated News