Loren Legarda, Leandro Leviste under Ombudsman probe over alleged plunder, graft

The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, in connection with P10-billion plunder and graft complaints due to the alleged failure of his renewable energy firm to provide solar power as provided under its congressional franchise.

In a press conference on Friday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said, "Talagang nag-suffer tayo dahil sa ginawa. Kinuha nila 'yung exclusive contract ng solar [power contracts]. This is ghost electricity."

(We really suffered due to their actions. They got the exclusive solar power contracts. This is ghost electricity.)

"Ipinangako nila, binenta, hindi nila ginawa. Kung may ginawa, kakaunti," Remulla added.

(They promised to deliver but sold the firm. They did not deliver as promised. If ever they pulled off something, it was scant.)

Asked how Legarda is connected, Remulla said Leviste would not have secured the franchise in 2019 without the help of his mother, who was the chairperson of the Senate finance panel.

The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Leviste and five officials of the Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC) for alleged violations of the Public Service Act.

According to the complaint, the firm failed to construct and provide electric power to customers and end users in remote, unviable, unserved, or underserved areas as provided under the company's 2019 franchise, which Congress granted under Republic Act 11357.

In a statement, Legarda maintained her innocence.

“All my public life since 1998, I have always upheld my integrity, which I value dearly. This baseless allegation is a smear on my person that is totally undeserved,” she said.

“We have not received any communication from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the reported preliminary investigation, but I can categorically state that the reported accusations are utterly false and baseless. No public funds were involved. We are prepared to bring out the truth,” she added.

Legarda then urged the public to be discerning, “especially in light of the timing and nature of these allegations.”

“We remain confident that once the facts are laid bare, we will be vindicated and our names cleared,” Legarda added. — VDV/NB, GMA News