PRESSURE on critics of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. intensified following back-to-back announcements of plunder charges and an alleged political plot involving Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, his mother Senator Loren Legarda, and their key allies.
The Office of the Ombudsman announced plunder and graft charges against Leviste, Legarda, and former Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over alleged anomalies in securing exclusive solar energy rights.
According to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, the trio allegedly conspired to establish a “virtual monopoly” by securing exclusive contracts for undeveloped projects, leaving the government with roughly ₱10 billion in unpaid obligations and driving up electricity costs for consumers.
Simultaneously, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag stated that a sex trafficking operation in Manila led investigators to a scheme allegedly bankrolled by Leviste and brokered by former Negros representative Jacinto “Jing” Paras.
Investigators claimed a suspect and four women were promised ₱1 million each to falsely accuse Recto of forcing them into drug use and sexual acts before NBI operatives disrupted the operation.
Legarda firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless taints on her personal reputation and emphasizing that no public funds were involved.
“We remain confident that once the facts are laid bare, we will be vindicated and our names cleared,” she said, advising the public to remain critical of the timing surrounding the charges.
With these developments, Legarda joins Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta as the third sitting senator facing plunder allegations.
Both Estrada and Marcoleta remain detained at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas following their arrests.
The Ombudsman noted that while probable cause was found, respondents will have the opportunity to answer the accusations.
In a separate action, the Ombudsman filed conflict-of-interest and malversation charges against Construction Workers Solidarity Party-list Representative Edwin Gardiola.
An investigation revealed Gardiola allegedly amassed ₱879 million through his construction companies via anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.