Politics · Philippines Bureau
Ombudsman readies plunder case against Legarda, Leviste
The Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file plunder charges against Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Rep. Leandro Leviste of Batangas, over allegations of conspiring to secure exclusive government rights to the country's solar energy resources.
LSN Philippines ·
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that the filing of the plunder case against the mother-and-son pair before the Sandiganbayan is imminent. Investigators from the office have accused Legarda and Leviste of allegedly working together to obtain exclusive government rights over solar energy resources in the Philippines.
The charges stem from a complaint that alleged the two officials conspired to monopolize renewable energy opportunities that should have remained open to other qualified entities. The Ombudsman's office did not immediately provide additional details on the specific transactions or timeframe under investigation.
Plunder is one of the most serious crimes under Philippine law, carrying penalties of life imprisonment. The case will be heard by the Sandiganbayan, the specialized court that handles graft and corruption cases involving public officials.
This development marks an escalation in the Ombudsman's investigations into allegations of misuse of government authority for private gain. The filing is expected to trigger a legal process that will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with prosecution against the two officials.