Atty. Antonio “Tony” La Viña, spokesperson for Senator Loren Legarda, has rejected the allegations involving the senator and her son, Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste, describing them as “baseless” and “ridiculous.” He maintained that documentary and financial records contradict the accusations.
Speaking before members of the digital media on Wednesday, La Viña called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to review its correspondence, properly distinguish the companies involved, and correct what he said were errors underlying the complaint against Legarda and Leviste.
He also questioned the basis of the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation into allegations of plunder and graft, saying the documentary evidence should be carefully examined.
“Una sa lahat, walang pera galing sa gobyerno na kinuha at binulsa ni Senator Loren o ni Representative Leandro. Walang plunder, walang government funds na kinuha in any of the projects. Dapat very clear sa atin yan,” La Viña said.
According to La Viña, the renewable energy projects being questioned were privately funded. He argued that a project’s failure to proceed does not, by itself, establish plunder or graft.
La Viña Disputes Financial Obligations Attributed to Leviste
Addressing reports of multibillion-peso financial obligations attributed to Leviste, La Viña said the amounts cited involved different corporate entities. He further maintained that obligations legitimately assessed against Leviste’s companies had already been fully settled.
La Viña pointed to a DOE demand letter addressed to Emmanuel Rubio of SP New Energy Corporation (SPNEC), which he noted has been majority-owned and controlled by Meralco’s generation company, MGen, since 2024.
He urged the DOE to distinguish SPNEC from Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation and other Solar Philippines companies, arguing that the obligations of one corporate entity should not automatically be attributed to another.
“Malinaw naman ang resibo na yung letter nila asking for twenty-four billion to be paid, na later binago nila to ten billion, ay doon sa kay Mr. Emmanuel Rubio at hindi kay Leandro Leviste, hindi sa kanyang mga kumpanya,” La Viña said.
Solar Para sa Bayan Franchise
La Viña also addressed questions surrounding the Solar Para sa Bayan franchise. He said the franchise was non-exclusive and had ceased to exist under its automatic revocation provision after it failed to become operational.
He attributed its non-implementation to the DOE’s alleged failure to issue the necessary implementing rules and identify the areas where the franchise could operate.
“Hindi siya na-implement dahil sa gobyerno. Hindi naglabas yung Department of Energy ng rules and regulations to implement the solar franchise. Hindi rin naglabas ang gobyerno, ang DOE, ng mga lugar kung saan siya pwedeng i-implement,” he said.
La Viña also disputed allegations that Leviste monopolized renewable energy service contracts. He said the 42 solar contracts awarded to Leviste represented only a portion of the 518 solar service contracts nationwide.
He explained that renewable energy service contracts cover exploration and pre-development activities and do not guarantee that a project will ultimately proceed. Factors such as land availability, grid connectivity, and overall feasibility can affect whether development moves forward.
According to La Viña, private investors assume these financial risks and are responsible for settling applicable obligations when projects do not proceed.
La Viña Defends Legarda’s Role
La Viña separately disputed allegations connecting Legarda to her son’s renewable energy ventures. He maintained that the senator did not participate in the management of Leviste’s companies or use her public position to advance their business interests.
He argued that the family relationship between Legarda and Leviste does not, on its own, establish the senator’s participation in her son’s companies, transactions, or contractual obligations.
“There’s nothing in the charges of the Ombudsman na kasama si Senator Loren Legarda. So, yun, bakit siya nakasama?” La Viña said.
He called on authorities to identify evidence, if any, establishing Legarda’s personal participation in the alleged wrongdoing.
La Viña also characterized the proceedings as unfair to Legarda and Leviste, maintaining that the senator has faced serious accusations despite what he described as a lack of evidence connecting her to the business transactions under scrutiny.
He confirmed that both Legarda and Leviste had submitted their counter-affidavits within the prescribed period, disputing reports that their submissions were delayed.
La Viña said the allegations should ultimately be resolved through the appropriate legal process, with the evidence evaluated alongside the respective roles and responsibilities of the parties involved.
“For those na hindi naniniwala o skeptical, I ask lang for an open mind, di ba? Humingi naman kayo ng resibo. Kami, may resibo kami,” La Viña said.
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