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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Super duper hina': Leviste dismisses DOE complaint

'Super duper hina': Leviste dismisses DOE complaint

Published May 7, 2026 04:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Leandro Leviste dismisses the DOE's criminal complaint against him and five other Solar Para sa Bayan executives as "super duper hina," saying he only learned of it through media reports.
  • The DOE, led by Sec. Sharon Garin, files the case before the DOJ on May 6, accusing the group of violating the Public Service Act for failing to comply with franchise conditions under RA 11357, including permit applications and reportorial requirements.
Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)
Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste (Contributed photo)


Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has brushed off the criminal complaint filed against him and five other executives of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPSB/SPBC), calling it “super duper hina (super duper weak)".
"The only information I have is what I got from the media, and based on that, I can say: super duper hina," Leviste told House reporters on Thursday, May 7.
The 33-year-old congressman subsequently referred reporters to his counsel, lawyer Ruy Rodain. Rondain has yet to respond to Manila Bulletin as of this posting.
"I would also like to point out: This sets a precedent for future administrations to file nuisance complaints against officers and directors of public utilities in the Philippines," said Leviste.
On Wednesday, May 6, the Department of Energy (DOE), led by Secretary Sharon Garin, filed the complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Garin accused Leviste—who serves as SPSB/SPBC chairman, president, CEO, and director—along with five other board members, of violating the Public Service Act for allegedly failing to comply with the conditions of their legislative franchise under Republic Act (RA) No. 11357.
The DOE asserted that SPSB/SPBC had not submitted applications for permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals required to operate solar energy projects, particularly in Occidental Mindoro. Garin noted that the franchise granted in 2019 mandated continuous operation within two years, warning that failure to do so could trigger automatic revocation.
The former congresswoman emphasized that the corporation had neither filed the necessary documents nor complied with reportorial requirements under DOE policies and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.
Leviste, however, maintained that the complaint lacked substance. He cautioned that pursuing such cases could undermine the stability of public utilities by opening the door to politically motivated harassment of their officers.

Related Tags

Leandro Legarda Leviste Sharon Garin DOE DOJ Solar Para sa Bayan
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