Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste – Photo courtesy of Leandro Leviste /Facebook.
Lawmakers representing five congressional districts in Batangas formally condemned Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste over allegations he made against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Governor Vilma Santos Recto.
House Resolution No. 994, filed on Thursday, was authored by Reps. Gerville Luistro, King George Collantes, Amado Bolilia, Beverly Rose Dimacuha, and Ryan Recto.
The resolution stemmed from Leviste’s privilege speech delivered on May 5, where he linked Recto and CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola to alleged irregularities involving campaign funds in Batangas during the 2025 elections.
The lawmakers said Leviste raised serious accusations without presenting documentary proof or verified evidence, relying instead on claims that they described as unsubstantiated and irresponsible.
They stressed that parliamentary immunity exists to protect legislative debate and public accountability, but should not be used to spread speculation or damage reputations through unsupported allegations.
During his speech, Leviste claimed that Gardiola supposedly spent more than P1 billion to support the candidacies of Santos Recto, Luis Manzano, and allied candidates in Batangas. He also alleged that around Php 150 million had been spent in his own district during the campaign period.
The remarks drew immediate reactions from several lawmakers, including Ryan Recto, who reminded the chamber that statements delivered in plenary should be grounded on facts rather than assumptions or incomplete information. Deputy Speakers Janette Garin and David Suarez also questioned Leviste over the basis of his allegations and asked him to explain his own campaign expenditures, which he did not directly answer.
Tensions between Leviste and the Recto camp later spilled over to social media, where both sides exchanged criticisms. Ralph Recto also dismissed Leviste’s accusations in remarks sent to reporters, while Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon moved to remove from the House records statements he said were unsupported by factual evidence.