Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste thanked his supporters and assured them not to worry about him amid an arrest warrant issued against him by a Makati court.
“Thank you to everyone who supports me. Don’t worry about me. This is a small matter compared to what is happening elsewhere. You are the ones I am worried about,” Leviste said in a social media post.
Leviste’s statement came after the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 issued an arrest warrant against him over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.
The warrant was dated October 5 and signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo A. Moldez II. The court set bail at ₱72,000.
The Bureau of Immigration earlier confirmed to DZRH News that Leviste remains abroad and has yet to return to the Philippines.
Leviste reportedly flew to France via Hong Kong on August 2. He was last reported to be in France with his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, who is undergoing medical treatment.
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director Atty. Melvin Matibag earlier confirmed that the arrest warrant was issued by Makati RTC Branch 235.
The NBI also said it had received information that Leviste had reportedly requested permission to visit 12 countries.
As of publication, it remains unclear when Leviste will return to the Philippines.
DZRH News is still seeking a statement from Leviste’s camp regarding the arrest warrant and his continued stay abroad.
