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 alleged P10-billion plunder and graft complaints due to the 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.

GMA News Online has requested comment from Legarda and Leviste, but they have yet to respond as of posting time. — VDV, GMA News