Malacañang on Wednesday urged Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to return to the Philippines and face the allegations against him, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

The warrant was issued in connection to Leviste’s alleged violation of the Public Service Act, which stems from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) complaint against the lawmaker and other Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPSB) officials.

If Leviste truly holds firm on his innocence, he would be better off facing the charges and defending himself before the court, said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

“Sinasabi naman niya na siya ay walang pagkakasala, so mas maganda po na talagang harapin ni Congressman Leviste at marami rin naman ang naniniwala sa kanya, na siya din ay lumalaban sa isyu ng korapsyon,” Castro said.

“So dito niya mapatutunayan na isa siyang magiting na lider kapagka hinarap niya ‘to mismo,” she added.

Leviste is currently in France with his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, according to reports.