Makati Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Rep. Leandro Leviste

A Makati court has issued an arrest warrant for Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste in connection with an alleged violation of the Public Service Act involving his company’s obligations to provide electricity in underserved areas.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 issued the warrant on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, and set bail at P72,000.

The case arose from a complaint filed by the Department of Energy (DOE) in May against Leviste and five other directors of Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation.

Named in the complaint alongside Leviste were Antonio C. Legarda Sr., Benjamin C. Legarda, Antonio B. Legarda Jr., Irma C. Flaminiano, and Hazel Iris P. Lafuente, the company’s corporate secretary and treasurer.

The DOE accused the six respondents of violating Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by Republic Act 11659, or the Public Service Act.

The complaint concerns the company’s alleged failure to fulfill its obligation to construct and provide electric power services to customers and end users in remote, unviable, unserved or underserved areas.

The obligation stems from Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation’s 2019 congressional franchise granted under Republic Act 11357.

Leviste was identified in the complaint as the corporation’s chairman, president, chief executive officer and director.

The DOE case centers on whether the company complied with the conditions attached to its franchise, particularly its responsibility to provide electricity services to areas covered by the law.

Leviste was reportedly in France with his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who is undergoing medical treatment.

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman said they had no information on whether Leviste and Legarda had already returned to the Philippines.

The issuance of the warrant means Leviste could face arrest upon his return or if authorities locate him within their jurisdiction, subject to the court’s processes.

Leviste has previously rejected the DOE’s allegations, describing the accusations as baseless.

The case remains pending before the Makati Regional Trial Court.