MAY 6, 2026 — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has unleashed a fiery counterattack against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, branding him a “deranged and dangerous” liar who allegedly tried to bribe political rivals, orchestrated vote-buying, and ran troll farms to smear opponents. Recto’s statement, packed with vivid accusations, has electrified Batangas politics and stirred national attention.

In a strongly worded statement, Recto said he had long resisted engaging with Leviste’s “factory of lies,” but decided to break his silence after repeated attacks. He accused the young lawmaker of offering him ₱400 million to bribe a political rival into withdrawing from the campaign, followed by a ₱1 billion offer for his wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, to step aside from the gubernatorial race.

“Sa unang pagtatagpo pa lang namin, may handa siyang PHP 400 milyon at mariin niya akong pinakiusapan na suhulan ang kanyang kalaban sa pulitika upang umatras ito sa kampanya. Tinanggihan ko ito,” the senator wrote. 

(From our very first meeting, he already had PHP 400 million ready and strongly urged me to bribe his political opponent so that they would withdraw from the campaign. I refused.)

Recto said he rejected both offers, calling them insulting and unacceptable. He added that Senator Loren Legarda, Leviste’s mother, even apologized to him for her son’s actions.

Recto further alleged that Leviste attempted to seize thousands of hectares of sugarcane land in Nasugbu, Batangas, and is now drowning in ₱24 billion in penalties from ghost solar projects under Solar Philippines. These projects, according to Recto, were abandoned or failed to deliver, leaving taxpayers and investors shortchanged.

He also accused Leviste of funding troll farms, AI-driven disinformation campaigns, and crowd-hiring schemes to malign Cabinet members and the administration.

Recto strongly denied Leviste’s insinuations linking him to Construction Workers Solidarity Rep. Edwin Gardiola, stressing that the Gardiolas have long been his political rivals.

“Wala akong ghost projects. Wala akong flood control projects. At lahat ng proyekto ko sa Batangas bilang mambabatas ay may resibo at dama ng tao,” he insisted.

(I have no ghost projects. I have no flood control projects. And every project I backed as a legislator has receipts and has been felt by constituents.)

He pointed to road concreting across Batangas and the construction of thousands of classrooms as proof of his tangible contributions.

For Batangueños and Filipinos at large, this clash is more than political theater — it’s about credibility, governance, and the integrity of public service. Recto’s sharp rebuke resonates with voters weary of scandals, reminding them that leadership must be measured by results, not noise. 

His words cut deep: “This is a bitter brat. Prone to tantrums, even badmouthing the woman who gave birth to him in front of many people.”

Recto’s statement is not just a defense but a warning against distractions that derail governance. He urged Filipinos to focus on pressing national challenges rather than “psychotic sideshows.”

The Executive Secretary then closed his statement with a punch, saying, “Balik na tayo sa trabaho. Sa Batangas kasi may kasabihan: ‘Wag pansinin ang asong ulol na kahol nang kahol.’” 

(Let’s get back to work. In Batangas, there’s a saying: Don’t mind the mad dog barking endlessly.)

In this Batangueño showdown, are you riding with Recto’s camp or backing Leviste’s fight?

(Image: Ralph Recto | Facebook)