Malacañang on Friday questioned the motive behind a complaint reportedly filed against her by a neophyte lawmaker, saying the move appears to silence her amid ongoing issues involving an energy firm.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has yet to receive a copy of the complaint attributed to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and is responding for now based solely on his media interview.
“Ang pagsasampa ng kasong ito ang tunay na paraan para ako ay matigil sa aking pagsasalita at pagtalakay sa mga issue (Filing this case is the true way for me to stop my speaking out and discussing the issues),” Castro said.
Castro noted that Leviste acknowledged that his claim about the alleged sale of a company holding a franchise was sourced from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, but that he would not file a case against the Ombudsman out of respect and personal ties.
“Inamin ni Cong. Leviste sa isang interview na ang source ng diumano’y pagbebenta ng company na may franchise ay galing kay Ombudsman Remulla (Cong. Leviste stated in an interview that the alleged source of the sale of the company with a franchise came from Ombudsman Remulla),” Castro said.
“Pero hindi niya sasampahan ng kaso ang Ombudsman dahil sa ginagalang niya ito at kaibigan ng nanay niya (But he will not file a case against the Ombudsman because he respects him and because he is his mother’s friend),” she added.
Castro questioned the consistency of that position, asking why statements attributed to the Ombudsman would be considered factual and non-malicious, while her own remarks, also sourced from the Ombudsman, would be deemed libelous.
She added that Leviste himself admitted in the same interview that he is no longer the owner of Solar Para sa Bayan, the company holding the franchise, after divesting his shares.
“He himself is the source,” Castro said.
The Palace Press Officer raised questions about who may be behind the move to file case against her and who stands to benefit from it.
Castro urged Leviste to instead focus on the issues raised by the Department of Energy against Solar Philippines, including penalties imposed on the company.
