Leandro Leviste not yet considered a fugitive from justice -- DOJ

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Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste is not yet considered a fugitive from justice, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

“As of now, not yet,” OIC Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Atty. Herbert Calvin Abugan said at a press briefing.

“There is a process that needs to be followed before we can declare him a fugitive from justice. Also, the court will give him an opportunity to appear before it,” he added.

On Wednesday, the RTC issued an arrest warrant against Leviste for alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

Leviste, however, is in France taking care of his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who is on medical leave.

In November, the Supreme Court set procedures and criteria for declaring an accused a fugitive from justice. It defined fugitives as accused individuals who flee not only to avoid punishment but also to evade prosecution.

When asked about the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) looking into the cancellation of his passport, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said prosecutors control where the case will go.

“That the NBI talking but we control, the prosecutors control where the journey of the case will go. May proseso, no? Fugitive from justice then cancelation of passport. ‘Yan ‘yung mga tools na pwedeng gamitin ng prosecutor,” he said.

(That the NBI is talking, but we control, the prosecutors control where the journey of the case will go. There is a process, right? Fugitive from justice, then cancellation of passport. Those are the tools that the prosecutor can use.)

He reiterated his appeal for Leviste to submit himself to the court’s jurisdiction.

Abugan said the DOJ filed the case against Leviste and others on September 29 with the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 235.

“The position of the DOJ is that finding of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction that the… Solar Corporation willfully neglected and intentionally failed to comply with its obligation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abugan said that two Leviste’s co-accused has posted bail and their arraignment was scheduled on October 26, 2026.

For his part, Leviste has told his supporters not to worry about him following the issuance of the warrant, saying that this was “a small matter.”

“Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta. Huwag niyo akong alalahanin, maliit na bagay lang ito kumpara sa ibang nangyayari,” Leviste said in a statement.

(Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me. Don’t worry about me, this is just a small matter compared to what is happening elsewhere.)

“Kayo ang inaalala ko (You are the ones I’m worried about),” he added without elaborating. — RSJ, GMA News

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