MANILA — The Department of Energy (DOE) has filed a supplemental estafa complaint against Batangas’ Cong. Leandro Leviste and two former Solar Philippines executives over renewable energy projects totaling 1,380 megawatts (MW) that allegedly failed to deliver any of their awarded capacity despite securing government contracts.
The complaint, filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Taguig, covers projects awarded under the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-1) involving a combined 1,350 MW of solar capacity and 30 MW of wind capacity.
Also named in the complaint were former Solar Philippines executive Hazel Iris Lafuente and former corporate secretary and board director Irma Flaminiano.
The DOE alleged that Leviste, Lafuente and Flaminiano worked together to secure the renewable energy awards by making false representations about the financial, technical and operational qualifications of their project companies.
According to the department, the companies submitted documents indicating they possessed the capabilities required to participate in GEA-1 and subsequently obtained awards under the government’s renewable energy auction program.
However, none of the 1,380 MW of awarded capacity was delivered by the December 25, 2025 deadline, the DOE said.
The contracts covering the projects were eventually terminated after the companies allegedly failed to meet required project milestones and renew their performance bonds.
The DOE also raised questions over whether the project companies had sufficient financial capacity when they participated in the auction, citing financial statements that reportedly showed negative equity in some of the firms involved.
The department further alleged that instead of developing the renewable energy facilities as committed, the respondents later sought to transfer or monetize the project vehicles.
The DOE has asked prosecutors to determine whether prima facie evidence exists to charge Leviste, Lafuente and Flaminiano with estafa under Article 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code.
The complaint remains subject to preliminary investigation, during which prosecutors will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to bring the case to court./PN
