The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently evaluating whether to cancel another contract of Solar Philippines, the solar energy company founded by Congressman Leandro Leviste, as reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort

In an interview with DZRH News, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin confirmed that the contract under review is separate from the nearly 12,000 MW of contracts that the agency had already terminated.

Garin noted that the solar firm has yet to pay a P24-billion penalty despite the previous termination and the DOE’s demand letter.

The Energy Secretary emphasized that the decision to review the contract is not politically motivated, nor is it retaliation against Leviste’s earlier exposés on alleged budget insertions by lawmakers.

According to Garin, the energy department has long been cleaning up over 1,300 contracts and unreliable developers.

She added that the case has been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman, both of which are conducting preliminary investigations. Subpoenas have already been issued for documents that could help determine the company’s violations.

“There’s one more that we are evaluating. I’m waiting for the bureaus to do their assessment. I don’t know the status yet because it’s the bureau that takes charge of the legal, technical, and financial aspects that will assess whether to terminate or not to terminate,” Garin explained.

Garin further reiterated the DOE’s stance on unpaid penalties, saying: they have issued termination letters and demand letters also, however, so far, there has been no payment.

“Since there was no compliance with our demand, we have forwarded the issue to the Ombudsman and to the DOJ as well.”