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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Batangas solons assemble, file resolution to condemn Leviste's attacks vs Rectos

Batangas solons assemble, file resolution to condemn Leviste's attacks vs Rectos

Published May 7, 2026 10:13 am

At A Glance

  • Batangas lawmakers file a resolution on May 6 condemning Rep. Leandro Leviste's allegations against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Governor Vilma Santos‑Recto, calling the claims baseless and malicious.
  • The resolution stresses that Leviste presented no verifiable evidence, accuses him of abusing parliamentary immunity, and characterizes his conduct as a grave misuse of legislative authority.
  • The measure highlights the Rectos' decades of public service and Batangas' growth under Governor Santos‑Recto's HEARTS program, urging the House to formally denounce Leviste's remarks.
Batangas 6th district Rep. Ryan Recto (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook)
Batangas 6th district Rep. Ryan Recto (left), Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Facebook)


Batangas-based solons have banded together to file a resolution formally condemning the supposed "baseless, malicious, and irresponsible" allegations made by Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste against Executive Secretary (ES) Ralph Recto and Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.
House Resolution (HR) No. 994, filed Wednesday, May 6, was signed by Batangas Reps. Ryan Recto (6th district), Amado Carlos Bolilia IV (4th district), King George Collantes (3rd district), Beverly Rose Dimacuha (5th district), and Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro (2nd district).
It was during plenary session Tuesday, May 5 when Leviste, citing personal and collective privilege, delivered a speech wherein he insinuated impropriety and corruption on the part of the Recto family mainly due to ES Recto's supposed connection with Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola.
Rep. Recto, the son of the Recto couple, was among the handful of congressmen who challenged Leviste's statements in plenary Tuesday.
The resolution asserts that Leviste's accusations regarding alleged anomalies in Batangas were described without "competent, verifiable, or documentary evidence", relying instead on anonymous and uncorroborated claims.
The Batangas lawmakers emphasized that while parliamentary immunity is a privilege provided to members of the House, it "should not be abused to put forth personal interests in the guise of public service".
The measure further characterized Leviste's conduct as a "grave misuse of legislative authority," and accused him of acting as a "peddler of fake news".
The solons raised concerns that Leviste's remarks were politically motivated and was particularly aimed at unfairly maligning the decades-long record of ES Recto and Governor Santos-Recto in their leadership as seasoned public leaders, especially in the province of Batangas.
"ES Recto and GOV Santos-Recto have, for decades, demonstrated exemplary leadership, unquestioned integrity, and steadfast dedication to public service," the resolution stated.
It also highlighted the "transformative growth" Batangas experienced under the Governor’s HEARTS program (Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism, and Social Services).
The resolution formally calls for the House of Representatives to condemn the allegations and serves as an expression of support for the Rectos’ "enduring legacy of service to the Filipino people and to the Province of Batangas".
Leviste, 33, a neophyte congressman in the 20th Congress, is being rumored to be eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the province in 2028.
The billionaire businessman-turned-lawmaker says he has no plans for now regarding the polls.

Related Tags

Leandro Legarda Leviste Ralph Recto Vilma Santos-Recto Batangas Ryan Recto
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