We write in response to the correspondence that we received from The Philippine Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) this afternoon, 25 June 2025, directing SP NEW ENERGY CORPORATION (the “Company”) to clarify and/or to confirm the information in the news article published on the Manila Bulletin earlier today, entitled “Leviste sells 34 billion in SPNEC shares ahead of Congressional role.”
In the article, it was reported that:
Young tycoon Leandro Legarda Leviste is raising a total of ₱34 billion from the divestment of his shares in solar producer SP New Energy Corporation (SPNEC) before assuming his new role as Congressman for the first district of Batangas in the House of Representatives on June 30, 2025.
In a statement posted on his social media page, Leviste said he has signed an agreement to sell 5.01 billion SPNEC shares for ₱6.26 billion to Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen), in addition to a previous agreement to sell 5.82 billion shares for ₱7.50 billion.
Under these agreements, MGen has already paid Leviste ₱13.76 billion, while the transfer of the 10.83 billion shares is expected soon.
MGen had previously purchased from Leviste 3.77 billion shares for ₱4.50 billion. Altogether, Leviste’s wholly-owned companies have agreed to sell a total of 14.60 billion shares to MGen for ₱18.26 billion.
In 2023, Leviste also sold 1.84 billion SPNEC shares to public shareholders for ₱2.23 billion. In total, Leviste has sold 16.44 billion shares for P₱20.49 billion.
After these transactions, Leviste’s wholly-owned Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. (Solar Philippines) would still own 8.16 billion shares of SPNEC.
Leviste said he is currently considering options for other private placements and financing on the remaining SPNEC shares of Solar Philippines and affiliates, which would bring the total funding raised from the SPNEC shares of Solar Philippines and affiliates to over ₱34 billion.
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With reference to the said news article, the Company confirms that MGen Renewable Energy, Inc. (“MGreen”) entered into an Exchangeable Note Facility Agreement with Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. (“SPPPHI”) (the “Agreement”). Under this Agreement, MGreen extended a loan to SPPPHI amounting to ₱6.26 billion, with the option to be paid in 5.01 billion common shares (the “Subject Shares”) of the Company (the “Transaction”). This Transaction is separate and distinct from the transaction disclosed by the Company to the PSE on 5 September 2024, where 5.8 billion common shares (the “Subject Shares”) will be exchanged as payment for the loan reported therein. In the event that MGreen opts to be paid in shares, the Subject Shares will be transferred to MGreen upon their release from lock-up on 2 September 2025.
The Company does not expect this transaction to have a material impact on its business and operations.
We hope that the Exchange will find the foregoing clarification in order. |