MANILA — January 14, 2026. Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste has defended his solar energy company after the Department of Energy (DOE) slapped it with a massive ₱24-billion fine for failing to deliver on its committed renewable energy projects. Leviste insists the penalty is excessive and unfair, while the DOE maintains the sanctions are part of its crackdown on idle contracts.

The DOE announced earlier this week that Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPHI), founded by Leviste, was penalized for failing to produce nearly 12 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity under more than 30 service contracts. 

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the contracts had already been terminated after repeated non-compliance. “What we want are legitimate investors, that’s why we’re cleaning it out,” Garin explained, adding that the DOE had not received any formal response from the company despite multiple communications.

Leviste, however, pushed back against the ruling, saying his firm had invested heavily in renewable energy and that the DOE’s decision undermines efforts to expand clean power in the country. Speaking to reporters, he argued that the fine was disproportionate and politically motivated, given his outspoken stance on corruption in flood control projects. “This is not about performance, this is about silencing those who speak out,” Leviste said, defending his company’s record.

The DOE denied any political link, clarifying that the sanctions were not connected to the so-called “Cabral files” that Leviste had publicized online amid the flood control scandal. “Hindi naman. Kahit hindi siya mag-ingay eh talagang canceled talaga ‘yung projects niya. Hindi naman ito personalan pero… kung ‘di namin ite-terminate ito, mali ang gagawin namin,” Garin said in a radio interview.

The ₱24-billion fine is one of the largest penalties ever imposed on a renewable energy developer in the Philippines. It comes as the government intensifies its push to weed out non-performing contracts and ensure that energy commitments translate into actual power generation. The DOE recently revoked dozens of renewable energy deals in 2025 as part of this campaign.

Observers note that the case highlights the tension between government regulators and private developers in the renewable energy sector. While the DOE insists on strict compliance, industry players warn that overly punitive measures could discourage investment in clean energy.

For now, Leviste’s company faces both financial and reputational challenges as it navigates the fallout from the penalty. The lawmaker vowed to contest the DOE’s ruling, saying his firm will continue to pursue renewable energy projects despite the setback.

Regulation or Retaliation, How Does the Public Tell the Difference?

A ₱24-billion fine is not a routine sanction. It is a thunderclap. When the Department of Energy penalized Solar Philippines, it framed the move as cleanup. When Leandro Leviste cried political motivation, the debate shifted from contracts to credibility.

This is the danger zone. Enforcement must be firm, but it must also look fair. The public has no way to weigh intent when penalties hit critics at full force and explanations stay technical. Performance failures deserve consequences. So do regulators who must prove neutrality beyond press statements.

Renewable energy needs trust as much as megawatts. If rules are enforced unevenly, confidence cracks. If penalties are justified, transparency should silence doubt. Is this strict regulation doing its job, or does it look too much like payback to ignore?