NBI to coordinate with BI for Leviste's whereabouts after arrest warrant issued

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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday confirmed it received a copy of the arrest warrant for Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

The NBI also said it will coordinate with government agencies on possible measures against Leviste.

“Ang impormasyon po natin hanggang sa ngayon ay nasa abroad,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(Our information as of now is that Leviste is currently abroad.)

The NBI will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to verify Leviste's immigration status and whereabouts, as well as with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding possible measures involving his passport.

Authorities may also ask the House of Representatives to cancel Leviste's travel authority, according to Matibag.

The NBI had no information yet on when Leviste would return to the Philippines.

A Makati court has issued an arrest warrant against Leviste over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

Based on the document obtained by GMA News from a high-ranking law enforcement official, the warrant was issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 235 on October 5, signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo A. Moldez II.

GMA News reached out to Makati RTC but the court has refused to give a statement.

The case involves an alleged violation of Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659 or the Public Service Act.

The court ordered law enforcement officers to arrest Leviste and bring him before the court to be dealt with according to law.

Bail was set at P72,000.

The Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) in Camp Crame and the concerned chief of police or station commander were furnished a copy of the arrest warrant.

GMA News Online reached out to Leviste and Atty. Tony La Viña, spokesperson of Leviste's mother Senator Loren Legarda, but they have yet to reply.

La Viña however said last September 25 that Leviste was in France taking care of his mother who is on medical leave.

Last May, the Department of Energy (DOE) filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against Leviste and five officials of the Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC) for alleged violations of the Public Service Act.

According to the complaint, the firm failed to construct and provide electric power to customers and end users in remote, unviable, unserved, or underserved areas as provided under the company’s 2019 franchise, which Congress granted under Republic Act No. 11357.

The complaint identified Leviste as the firm's chairman, president, chief executive officer, and director.

Leviste said then that DOE’s allegations were baseless and a threat to public entities, including media organizations.

“The only complaint I’ve seen is from the media, and based on that, I can say: super duper hina,” Leviste said. (The complaint is very weak.) —KG, GMA News