Leviste to push for cityhood of 3 Batangas towns after historic win

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Leandro Leviste makes history with a landslide victory in Batangas, securing 75% of the vote and ending a 30-year political dynasty

BATANGAS, Philippines – Leandro Legarda Leviste has won a historic landslide as Batangas 1st District Representative in last Monday’s elections. He is the son of Senator Loren Legarda.

He secured 268,764 votes, or 75% of the total, defeating incumbent Eric Buhain, who received 91,588 votes.

This marks the highest percentage won against any sitting member of Congress nationwide this election cycle and the most votes ever recorded in any congressional race in the history of Batangas.

Leviste’s win also marks the first-ever electoral defeat of Eric Buhain, the husband of former Congresswoman Eileen Ermita-Buhain, whose family has held the position of Batangas 1st District Representative for 30 years.

It is the first time since 1972 that the district has elected a representative outside the Ermita or Apacible families.

Leviste defeated Buhain in all 8 municipalities and cities of the 1st District, which is comprised of Balayan, Calaca, Calatagan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Taal, and Tuy.

Campaigning on the message “Paunlarin Natin Ang Unang Distrito”, Leviste called for greater support from the national government for the development of Western Batangas.

His goal is to turn the 1st District into the most developed and prosperous district of Batangas.

“Ang panukalang batas na isusulong ko sa pagbubukas ng Kongreso ay ang cityhood ng Nasugbu, Balayan at Lemery. Sa ngayon ang unang distrito ay nagbibigay ng malaking tax revenue sa provincial government ng Batangas pero baka sa mga nakaraang mga taon ay hindi nakakakuha nang masyadong malaking budget mula sa provincial government. Kaya sana po maaprubahan ang panukalang batas para ang taxes collected ay pwedeng manatili nalang sa Nagubu, Balayan at Lemery, at mas lalaki ang suporta sa social programs sa unang distrito ng Batangas,” Leviste said in an interview after his proclamation.

At 32 years old, Leviste is the country’s youngest billionaire entrepreneur. He decided to focus on public service in 2024 after selling Meralco a controlling stake in his company, Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation, for P34 billion. – Rappler.com