MANILA — The House Committee on Legislative Franchises may investigate the alleged sale of shares in Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste’s solar power business without congressional approval, Bataan 1st District Rep. Antonino Roman III said on Monday, if a resolution is filed.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said there was an investigation into the alleged transfer and sale of Leviste’s solar energy franchise, which he claimed lacked congressional approval.

Leviste said in a social media post that he would address the allegations when Congress resumes session on January 26.

“I don’t know that any resolution was filed. I think it’s a ministerial function of members of the committee to actually investigate any matter that’s referred to the committee. So if there’s a resolution that was filed, then it behooves me to actually investigate it as a member of the committee,” Roman told reporters.

Roman added that the Ombudsman’s investigation does not prevent the House from conducting its own inquiry.

“I don’t think there’s any conflict in the same way that we have seen in the case of alleged corruption, that we have the Ombudsman and we also have the courts but it hasn’t barred Congress, the Senate, and the Lower House from investigating,” he said.

He stressed that any violation of the franchise could be grounds for revocation.

When asked about possible political motives, Roman said, “I would rather not speculate on the timing. At the end of the day, motive is actually secondary. The question is really was there a violation or not. And this is for anything, for any investigation.”

Meanwhile, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) clarified on Sunday that it did not buy shares from Leviste’s Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. (SPBC), the company granted a 25-year congressional franchise.

“Magkaibang kumpanya po ito. Ang MGEN po ay hindi kumuha or nagmamay-ari ng anumang karapatan, pribilehiyo o interes na may kaugnayan sa prangkisa ng Solar Para sa Bayan,” said MGEN head for Sustainability, Communications, and External Affairs Christer Gaudiano.

(Both companies are separate. MGEN did not acquire or own any rights, privileges, or interests related to the Solar Para sa Bayan franchise.)

He added, “Bukod dito, ang mga negosyo at operasyon ng SPNEC ay hindi nakasalalay sa nasabing prangkisa.”

(Furthermore, the business and operations of SPNEC are not dependent on the said franchise.)