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MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she is seeking P500 million in damages from Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas) as part of her counterclaim in an ongoing libel case.
Castro confirmed the amount on Monday, saying the claim is tied to alleged reputational damage.
"Yes, P500 million damages is part of my compulsory counterclaim… I believe that I deserve and I’m entitled of such damages," she said.
She added that the complaint filed against her affected her standing as a Palace official.
"Because of twisting some facts in the complaint, it ruined my integrity as Palace Press officer," Castro said.
Exchange of statements
Leviste, in a Facebook post, rejected the claim.
"Humihingi si USec Claire Castro na bayaran ko siya dahil sa 'sleepless nights and anxiety' na dulot umano ng kasong isinampa ko laban sa kanya. Wala akong obligasyong bayaran siya," he said. "Pero kung kailangan niyang magpagamot ngayon, bukal sa loob kong sagutin ang kanyang gastusin sa ospital."
(Usec Claire Castro is asking for me to pay her because of 'sleepless nights and anxiety' that I caused supposedly due to the case I filed against her. I don't have any obligation to pay her. But if she needs medical attention now, I am willing to settle her hospital fees.)
Castro responded: "Good, very good. He admitted that he’s causing me sleepless nights and anxiety. So that will be part of the case."
The dispute stems from a libel complaint Leviste filed in January 2026, accusing Castro of making defamatory statements about his solar business.
Leviste said Castro falsely accused him of selling the franchise of his solar energy company, which he denied.
The complaint was filed before a Regional Trial Court in Balayan, Batangas, seeking P110 million in damages.
Court proceedings have since moved forward, with a judge ordering the issuance of summons in the case. — with reports from Geraldine Santos and The STAR
