The Department of Energy (DOE) has filed a complaint against Rep. Leandro Leviste and five officials of Solar Para sa Bayan over the company’s alleged failure to provide electricity to remote and underserved communities despite being granted a legislative franchise in 2019.
Aside from Leviste, those named in the complaint were Antonio Legarda Sr., Benjamin Legarda, Antonio Legarda Jr., Irma Flaminiano and Hazel Iris Lafuente.
According to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, the company had no record of submitting the required permits, licenses and regulatory approvals needed to fulfill its obligations under the legislative franchise.
The DOE also said the company failed to implement any project within the seven years covered by its operations.
In the complaint, the department accused the respondents of “willful neglect” or deliberate failure to comply with their obligations under the Public Service Act.
The DOE also cited previous statements made by Leviste that Solar Para sa Bayan was no longer operational and had already been closed for a long time. The department used these statements to support its allegation that the company failed to meet the conditions stated in its franchise.
Leviste, however, downplayed the complaint and described it as “super duper weak.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the complaint has not yet been formally docketed and is still under evaluation to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with a preliminary investigation.
The DOE complaint adds to the ongoing scrutiny involving the company and its compliance with obligations tied to the government-issued franchise intended to expand electricity access in underserved areas.
