Matibag clarifies: Leviste ‘still at large,’ considered ‘fugitive from justice’

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday clarified that Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste is still “considered at large,” following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

He previously said that Leviste had already posted the P72,000 bail for alleged violation of the Public Service Act, after the lawmaker supposedly sent a “representative” to court.

“There was wrong information that he made bail,” Matibag told reporters in an interview.

According to Matibag, only Leviste’s two co-accused—Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSBC) officials Hazel Iris Lafuente Buencamino and Irma Flaminiano—posted the required bail at the Makati City Regional Trial Court.

He said Leviste must personally go to court to post bail.

“So Leviste is still considered at large. The court does not have jurisdiction over him until such time that he voluntarily surrenders or is arrested by law enforcement,” the NBI director specified.

Matibag said the court set the arraignment for Leviste’s co-accused on October 26.

READ: Makati RTC orders arrest of Leandro Leviste

‘Fugitive from justice’

According to Matibag, Leviste is already considered a “fugitive from justice” following the arrest warrant against him.

“Because the court is looking for you, there’s an arrest warrant issued for you,” he explained.

The NBI is in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs for the possibility of canceling Leviste’s passport and the House of Representatives for the possibility of canceling his travel authority.

READ: Passport cancellation for Leviste possible after arrest order – Matibag

He also reiterated that the NBI is in coordination with the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime to check if Leviste’s case is included in the crimes listed in the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.

It was this Wednesday morning when Matibag announced that they received the arrest warrant against Leviste and his co-accused.

Leviste was last reported to be in France with his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, after they traveled abroad on Aug. 2.

Legarda’s spokesperson Tony La Viña recently said Leviste is taking care of his mother, who is on medical leave for undergoing treatment for a lung and autoimmune condition in France.

The case stemmed from the Department of Energy’s complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in May against Leviste and five SPSBC officials.

These persons supposedly failed to deliver electricity to remote and underserved areas, despite securing a legislative franchise. 

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martines earlier confirmed that an Information was filed before the Makati RTC last Sept. 29 against Leviste, Buencamino, and Flaminiano. /mr /apl