Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste – Photo courtesy of Leandro Leviste /Facebook.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Thursday accused Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste of having a conflict of interest for retaining ownership in a solar power company he established before entering Congress.
Garin said constitutional rules require lawmakers who hold or benefit from government franchises or contracts to give up their financial interests before assuming office.
She added that records from the Securities and Exchange Commission show Leviste remains the owner of Solar Philippines despite his election to the House of Representatives.
The energy chief cited provisions in the 1987 Constitution barring senators and House members from having direct or indirect financial interests in government-granted franchises or special privileges during their term.
Garin also linked the issue to the Department of Energy’s decision to cancel hundreds of power supply service contracts as part of efforts to remove firms that failed to meet project commitments.
According to Garin, contracts involving Solar Philippines accounted for about 12,000 megawatts, a large share of the canceled capacity, after the company allegedly fell short of delivery targets.
Leviste, the son of Sen. Loren Legarda, has maintained that he acted in good faith, saying he disclosed his business interests in his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth filed as a lawmaker.
