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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider ERC probes Leviste solar unit for alleged unauthorized sales

ERC probes Leviste solar unit for alleged unauthorized sales

Published Jan 31, 2026 10:50 am  |  Updated Jan 31, 2026 01:52 pm
Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan
Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has initiated formal proceedings against Solar Para Sa Bayan Corp., the renewable energy firm founded by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, over allegations that the company operated and collected fees from consumers without the necessary government permits.
The regulator issued show-cause orders to SPSB following reports of unauthorized operations in several off-grid locations, including Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.
According to ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan, the company allegedly bypassed mandatory regulatory milestones, including securing an Authority to Operate and Certificates of Compliance for its generation facilities.
The agency is also investigating claims that the firm imposed electricity rates on end-users without the commission’s prior evaluation and approval of its pricing structures.
While SPSB was granted a 25-year non-exclusive franchise in 2019 to deploy hybrid technologies in underserved remote areas, the ERC maintained that a legislative franchise does not exempt a provider from administrative oversight.
Juan said that the unauthorized imposition of charges is a “mortal sin” in the regulated power sector, emphasizing that the commission’s primary mandate is to safeguard consumer interests by ensuring all industry participants adhere to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.
Leviste previously stated that SPSB ceased operations years ago, citing bureaucratic red tape and regulatory hurdles that made it impossible to maintain projects in remote regions.
Despite this cessation, the ERC indicated that the company remains liable for past actions and may still face substantial financial penalties if the violations are proven.
This latest inquiry adds to the mounting regulatory pressure on Leviste’s energy interests. His holding firm, Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., recently faced a ₱24 billion fine after the Department of Energy revoked service contracts totaling 11,427 megawatts.
The department cited the firm's failure to meet strict construction deadlines as the reason for the termination.
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