Businessman-turned-politician Leandro Leviste said on Wednesday that he had been warned as early as September about potential legal cases if he released the so-called 'Cabral Files.'
Despite the warnings, he reaffirmed his determination to make the documents public, which reportedly expose multibillion-peso anomalies in flood control projects.
Leviste defended his solar firm, Solar Philippines Power Plant Holdings Inc. (SPPHI), facing ₱24 billion in penalties after the DOE moved to cancel its contracts for allegedly failing to meet obligations.
In a Facebook post, Leviste denied ever receiving government funds, asserting that his wealth came entirely from private business.
"Mula pa noong Setyembre, sinasabihan na ako na gagawan ako ng mga kaso kung ilalabas ko ang “Cabral Files” at manahimik na lang ako para sa sarili kong kapakanan," Leviste said.
"Wala akong nakuhang kahit piso mula sa gobyerno. Ang aking pera ay nagmula sa pribadong negosyo," he added.
He also highlighted the contributions of his company to the country’s renewable energy sector.
"Ang kompanyang itinatag ko ay nakapagtayo ng pinakamalaking kapasidad ng renewable energy sa bansa at nakapagdala ng pinakamalaking foreign investment sa Pilipinas noong 2025. Kaunti ang namumuhunan sa ating bansa ngayon dahil sa pananaw na ginigipit ang mga negosyante," he added.
The lawmaker's remarks come after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin justified the contract cancellation with Leviste’s firm stressing there was no politicking with the termination of the said contracts.
Leviste emphasized that he respects government officials and will address any statements or concerns in the appropriate legal forum.
"Paumanhin po sa mga natatamaan, pero ang pinaglalaban ko lamang ay ang katotohanan. Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa mga nananawagan para sa transparency sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan," he said.
DOE has confirmed that Solar Philippines faces around ₱24 billion in penalties for failing to deliver nearly 12,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity as pledged under its government agreements.
