Leviste takes Palace undersecretary to court over alleged false solar claims

National

FROM vlogs to the courtroom.

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste has sued Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro for P110 million, accusing her of spreading false claims that he sold a solar franchise that never existed.

The complaint was filed on Friday, Jan 16, at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Balayan, Batangas.

Leviste said Castro’s statements were defamatory, claiming she accused him of selling the franchise of his solar company—a claim he says is untrue.

“First of all, we are here in Balayan Regional Trial Court to file a case against PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro because of her libelous statements about my Solar business. I did not sell the franchise, because I have no company with a franchise that I sold,” he said in a Philstar

report.

Accompanied by his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Leviste clarified that the company he sold does not have a franchise. He added that his legal action is not intended to harm Castro personally but to defend his reputation, noting that she had made several vlogs about him that he considers false.

Leviste is seeking P100 million for moral damages, P10 million for exemplary damages “in order to serve as an example to the public and attorney’s fees in the amount of P1 million plus the appearances fees and incidental expenses to be computed after the trial, for legal expenses.” He also indicated that other legal actions against Castro are still under consideration.

The libel case centers on statements Castro made in her vlogs. On January 10, 2026, she posted one saying in all caps, “IMBESTIGAHAN NG OMBUDSMAN ANG SOLAR FIRM NI CONG. LEVISTE WALA KA BANG KAHIH!YABN [sic]?”

Leviste said Castro presented a news clip alleging that the Ombudsman was investigating his sale of controlling shares in his solar company without congressional approval, claiming he had received a franchise during the Duterte administration and sold his shares without approval.

She also referenced an online article about Leviste’s Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC), suggesting he was pro-Duterte because the company allegedly received a franchise under Duterte’s term. In another vlog, she reportedly claimed to have looked online for supposed debts of SPBC with the Department of Energy and concluded—using an AI overview—that there were no debts but some penalties.

Leviste also cited a June 2025 vlog in which Castro reportedly said he divested his majority stake in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) to Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) before assuming public office, adding that there were “many penalties” before the divestment. He asserts that Castro’s statements are “untrue, reckless and malicious,” constituting defamation.

The complaint further alleges that Castro acted with malice or reckless disregard for the truth, making deliberate assertions of falsehoods to damage Leviste’s honor and reputation as both a public servant and businessman.

Leviste also criticized her reliance on AI for verifying claims, saying it demonstrates negligence and lack of concern for the truth, and argued that her statements fall outside protected speech.

Topacio described the alleged libel as part of a “targeted attack” on Leviste, who has been outspoken about the government’s infrastructure budget. He said Castro’s claims go beyond freedom of expression, targeting Leviste because of his criticism of the government.

Castro, for her part, dismissed the case as an attempt to silence her. She told reporters that filing the case is intended to stop her from speaking out and discussing issues, and added that she has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.(MyTVCebu)