Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste filed a P110-million civil libel case against Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro at the RTC in Balayan, alleging she made false statements accusing him of illegally selling a solar company franchise.
Leviste said Castro’s vlogs presented misleading claims about his Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. and SP New Energy Corp., including supposed ombudsman investigations and penalties, which he denied.
The congressman is seeking P100 million for moral damages, P10 million for exemplary damages, and additional legal fees, calling her statements reckless, malicious, and defamatory.
Castro dismissed the case as an attempt to silence her and said she has yet to receive the complaint.
Leviste’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, described the alleged statements as a “targeted attack” against his client for being critical of the government.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 17, 2026
