Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday confirmed she is seeking ₱500 million in damages from Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, alleging that the lawmaker’s legal actions have harmed her reputation and integrity.

During a press briefing at Malacañang, Castro said the counterclaim is part of her response to a libel complaint filed by Leviste against her.

“Plus, for ruining my integrity… Yes, P500 million damages. It is part of my compulsory counterclaim. I believe that because of twisting some facts in the complaint and it ruined my integrity as Palace press officer, I deserve such and am entitled to such damages,” she said.

Castro stressed that Leviste’s acknowledgment of the stress she experienced will be included in her counterclaim.

“Good. Very good. He admitted that he is causing me sleepless nights and anxiety. So that will be part of the case,” she said.

Leviste had previously filed a libel complaint against Castro, accusing her of making allegedly malicious statements in a vlog about the alleged sale of a solar energy company franchise.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Leviste said he felt no legal obligation to pay Castro for what she described as “sleepless nights and anxiety” caused by the case, but he offered to cover her hospital expenses if needed.

“Humihingi si Usec. Claire Castro na bayaran ko siya dahil sa ‘sleepless nights and anxiety’ na dulot umano ng kasong isinampa ko laban sa kanya. Wala akong obligasyong bayaran siya,” Leviste wrote.

“Pero kung kailangan niyang magpagamot ngayon, bukal sa loob kong sagutin ang kanyang gastusin sa ospital,” he added.