Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste is under investigation over the sale of his solar energy company, following allegations that the transfer of control proceeded without the required approval from Congress, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

Speaking on dzRH’s Executive Program, Remulla said the sale and transfer of Leviste’s franchise in the solar energy sector are being scrutinized.

“Marami siyang ibang problema. Iyong prangkisa niya, iniimbestigahan na ngayon, iyong violation of franchise. Kasi dapat iyan iyong franchise ay hindi mo ninenegosyo. Batang bata ka, ninenegosyo mo iyong franchise,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman is investigating the sale of a controlling interest in Leviste’s solar power company, which critics say was executed without congressional approval.

“Wala ka bang kahihiyan? Anong klaseng tao iyan? Anong klaseng Pilipino yan? National franchise, renewable energy, critical to the national life tapos ibebenta mo, i-fiflip mo lang. Nanay mo pa senador,” Remulla added.

The company, Solar Philippines, which is the nation’s largest solar firm, was granted a 25-year mega-franchise by Congress in 2019 while Senator Loren Legarda, Leviste’s mother, was in office.

“Walang consent ang Congress sa transfer ng franchise na ‘yan,” Remulla stressed.

In 2025, Leviste reportedly sold a large portion of his shares to another power firm, SP New Energy Corporation (SPNEC) to Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen), in a deal valued at ₱18.26 billion.

Under Section 18 of Republic Act No. 11357, which granted the franchise to Leviste’s company, the sale of the company or its controlling interest requires congressional approval.

Remulla also noted that the franchise issue is far more serious than what Leviste has referred to as the “Cabral Files,” a purported list of DPWH-funded projects in congressional districts between 2023 and 2025, which Leviste allegedly obtained from the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

“Ilabas niya, subukan niya ilabas. Tignan natin kung may dokumento… The document he got when Cabral was alive is not the same document as when she is dead already. Because there's nobody to authenticate it. Irrelevant na yun…Unless he has another evidence to show that everything there is gospel truth,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman warned of the potential consequences for the national energy sector.

“Imagine, the effect on the national energy situation. Sasabihin mo ito ang forecast natin sa energy. Andiyan ang DOE (Department of Energy) naniniwala sa iyo, iyon pala drawing lang. Hindi nangyari,” he said.

Remulla added that he is not engaging with the Cabral Files matter because Leviste has repeatedly attempted to shift focus to alleged corruption in the Marcos administration.

“Gusto niyang ibahin ang usapan. Hindi puwede iyon. Ito muna ang pag-usapan natin bago ang lahat,” Remulla noted.

Solar Philippines remains the largest solar company in the Philippines.