Judge named to handle new Leviste charge

MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Makati Trial Court (MTC) has assigned Presiding Judge Josefino Subia of Branch 66 to handle the “evasion of service of sentence” case against former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste and his driver Nilo Solis.

Earlier, an inquest conducted by Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Alejo found probable cause to charge Leviste with the new offense. Solis was tagged as an accomplice.

If the court finds Leviste guilty of the new charge, six more years will be added to his original sentence of 6-12 years for the killing of his aide and friend Rafael de las Alas in 2007, lawyers said.