A MAKATI court has issued an arrest warrant against Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste for alleged violation of the Public Service Act. The order was issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 on October 5 and signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo A. Moldez II, setting bail at ₱72,000.
The case stems from a complaint filed by the Department of Energy (DOE) last May, which accuses Leviste and five other directors of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation of failing to fulfill the terms of their 2019 congressional franchise — specifically the obligation to provide electricity service to remote and underserved communities. The charges relate to Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659.
Authorities confirmed that Leviste is currently abroad in France, where he has been with his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who remains on extended medical leave.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag confirmed receipt of the warrant and stated that the agency is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to verify Leviste’s travel status and with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding possible passport restrictions. The NBI may also request the House of Representatives to revoke Leviste’s official travel authority to facilitate his return. No date has been set for his return.
The arrest warrant adds to mounting scrutiny of Leviste’s business and government dealings. Just days earlier, the Commission on Audit flagged more than ₱10.39 billion in uncollected obligations linked to terminated solar energy contracts held by his Solar Philippines group — representing 96% of the total ₱10.77 billion in liabilities across 37 cancelled agreements. Leviste has previously dismissed the DOE complaint as “very weak” and politically motivated, while his legal representatives have yet to issue a formal response to the arrest order.
metrosundaily
