Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste remains abroad despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the Makati Regional Trial Court over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.
According to a report by Jecelle Ricafort, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Atty. Anisha Hassan confirmed to DZRH News that Leviste has yet to return to the Philippines.
Hassan said the agency has no information yet on when the congressman will return to the country.
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.
The development comes after the Makati RTC Branch 235 issued an arrest warrant against Leviste in connection with the alleged Public Service Act violation.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag earlier confirmed that the court issued the warrant.
Based on the document obtained by DZRH News, the warrant was dated October 5 and signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo A. Moldez II. The court set bail at ₱72,000.
The National Bureau of Investigation also earlier said it received information that Leviste had reportedly requested permission to visit 12 countries.
It remains unclear which countries were included in the request or when Leviste plans to return to the Philippines.
DZRH News is still seeking a statement from Leviste’s camp. As of publication, his representatives have yet to respond.
