Manila, Philippines — The Makati City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste in alleged violation of the Public Service Act in connection with his ownership of solar firm Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSBC).
Based on the arrest warrant issued by Makati RTC Branch 235 on October 5, Leviste and two other SPSBC officials were found to have allegedly violated the law by failing to provide electricity to remote areas, as required under their legislative franchise obligations.
On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that Leviste’s co-accused, SPSBC incorporators and corporate officers Hazel Iris Lafuente Buencamino and Irma Flaminiano, had posted bail amounting to P72,000 each.
However, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Leviste must personally appear before the court to post bail in connection with the case.
He said that until Leviste appears before the court, he may be considered a “fugitive from justice.”
Leviste has been out of the country since August, accompanying his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, during her medical leave.
According to the latest information from the Bureau of Immigration, the two are still outside the country.
On their end, the Department of Justice (DOJ), which filed the case against Leviste and SPSBC, clarified that the lawmaker cannot be considered a fugitive from justice yet.
Following this, DOJ Secretary Atty. Frederick Vida urged Leviste to face the arrest warrant and appear before the court.
Vida appealed to Leviste to respect due process.
For now, the DOJ and prosecution is not considering yet a request to cancel Leviste’s passport or seek an Interpol Red Notice against him.
Vida emphasized that the case will proceed according to due process.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Leviste said that the case he is facing is a minor matter compared with what is happening in politics and in the Philippines today.
In response, Vida reminded Leviste and his mother, as a congressman and senator, respectively, that they have a responsibility to create and pass laws.
Because of this, Vida said, they should have a better understanding of their responsibilities under the law, particularly when an arrest warrant has already been issued in a case.