The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is considering requesting an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and six others before the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to a Monday report.
Previously, Leviste and his co-accused were recommended charges after being linked to an alleged sex scandal plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag clarified that a Hold Departure Order (HDO) can only be issued by a court when they have received the case. However, the bureau can file a request for an ILBO with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) through the Department of Justice (DOJ), reported RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.
“When you request sa court, that is a whole departure order. ‘Yung Hold Departure Order, it is issued by the court, pag may kaso na po na nakasampa. Pero we can request now (from) the (Bureau of) Immigration, through the Department of Justice, to issue a Lookout Bulletin dito sa mga indibidwal na ito… because one of the accused, principal accused, dito sa qualified human trafficking na ifinile namin, ay nakalabas na ng bansa, pero nakakapag-Facebook pa,” he said during an interview, adding that qualified human trafficking is a grave, non-bailable crime.
“Kasi mabigat po ‘yung qualified human trafficking. That is a non-bailable offense, crime. Kapag umakyat sa korte ‘yan, ang recommendation ng prosecution niyan, no bail,” he said.
However, Matibag is unable to ascertain whether Leviste will return to the Philippines after the lawmaker requested travel authority to visit 12 other countries.
Matibag dared Leviste to fly back to the country and face the allegations made against him.
In response to Leviste calling the NBI the “National Bureau of Imbento,” the bureau chief said the young congressman was simply aiming for optics and, addressing Leviste, appealed that he not seek to fool his countrymen.
Leviste must face the evidence against him and respond to accusations appropriately, and not through social media, Matibag said.
The cogent evidence against Leviste, former lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras, the four lawyers from the Rondain & Mendiola Law Firm, and arrested talent manager Lito de Guzman is “overwhelming,” the Investigation chief said.
“In this case, I’m telling you, I personally joined the investigation of this case, and the evidence, strong talaga. Overwhelming ‘yung evidence, where you have complete testimonial evidence, mayroong documentary evidence, mayroong mga footages ng CCTV, may mga pictures,” he stated.
Leviste, Paras, and the four lawyers have all previously repudiated their supposed roles in the alleged smear campaign against the “Little President.”
