Leviste must return to PH, submit himself to court --DOJ

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Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Wednesday said Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste must return to the Philippines and submit himself to the court’s jurisdiction following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

“He needs to submit to the jurisdiction of the court. So, kailangan siya umuwi (he needs to return),” Vida said in an ambush interview when asked how Leviste will post bail.

Vida said that refusal to listen to the court’s directive is disrespectful to the justice system.

“Kasi kapag hindi tayo sumunod sa utos ng korte, binabastos natin ‘yung sistema… ang batas natin kapag may arrest warrant, respetuhin natin at igalang natin ang kapangyarihan ng Korte,” he said.

(Because if we do not follow the court’s order, we are disrespecting the system… under our law, when there is an arrest warrant, we should respect it and respect the authority of the Court.)

“Ang panawagan ko bilang Secretary of Justice… lalo na sa kanya kasi may arrest warrant, sundin natin ang kautusan ng korte,” he added.

(My appeal as Secretary of Justice… especially to him because there is an arrest warrant, let us follow the court’s order.)

Earlier, a Makati regional trial court issued an arrest warrant against Leviste over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

Leviste is in France taking care of his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, who is on medical leave, La Viña said last September 25.

The congressman cannot post bail while abroad or before Philippine embassies, according to Vida.

Meanwhile, Vida said two of Leviste’s co-accused has posted bail.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Leviste’s spokesperson, Tony La Viña, said that he believes the accused must personally appear before the court when asked if an individual can post bail while abroad.

“Ang alam ko kailangan sa piyansa personal ka pumunta para mag bail,” he said.

(As far as I know, you need to personally appear to post bail.)

La Viña also said that they will file a motion in connection to the arrest warrant issued against him.

“May mga lawyers… mag file ng mga motion today related to the case para naman ma-lift ‘yung arrest warrant o ano,” lawyer Tony La Vîna, the spokesperson of Levista and Senator Loren Legarda, said on Balitanghali.

(There are lawyers who will file motions today related to the case so that the arrest warrant can be lifted.)

Leviste earlier said the Energy Department's allegations against him are baseless and a threat to public entities, including media organizations. —VAL, GMA News