REPRESENTATIVES from the Province of Batangas have united to formally condemn what they describe as “baseless, malicious, and irresponsible” allegations made by Rep. Leandro L. Leviste of the First District against Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto and Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.
In a House Resolution filed on May 6, Representatives Ryan S. Recto (6th District), Amado Carlos A. Bolilia IV (4th District), King George V. Collantes (3rd District), Beverly Rose A. Dimacuha (5th District), and Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” A. Reyes-Luistro (2nd District) expressed their firm solidarity and support to ES Recto and Gov. Santos-Recto following a privilege speech delivered by Rep. Leviste on May 5, 2026.
The resolution asserts that the accusations regarding alleged anomalies in Batangas were described without “competent, verifiable, or documentary evidence,” relying instead on anonymous and uncorroborated claims. The Batangas lawmakers emphasized that while parliamentary immunity is a privilege provided to Members of the House, it “should not be abused to put forth personal interests in the guise of public service.”
The measure further characterizes Rep. Leviste’s conduct as a “grave misuse of legislative authority,” accusing him of acting as a “peddler of fake news.” The lawmakers raised concerns that the remarks were politically motivated and was particularly aimed at unfairly maligning the decades-long record of ES Recto and Gov. Santos-Recto in their leadership as seasoned public leaders, especially in the Province of Batangas.
“ES Recto and GOV Santos-Recto have, for decades, demonstrated exemplary leadership, unquestioned integrity, and steadfast dedication to public service,” the resolution states, highlighting the “transformative growth” Batangas experienced under the Governor’s HEARTS program (Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism, and Social Services).
The House Resolution formally calls for the House of Representatives to condemn the allegations and serves as an expression of support for the Rectos’ “enduring legacy of service to the Filipino people and to the Province of Batangas.”
